Methods and apparatus related to multi-mode wireless communications device supporting both wide area network signaling and peer to peer signaling

ABSTRACT

Methods and apparatus related to the sharing of wide area network (WAN) uplink bandwidth with peer to peer communication signaling usage are described. A multi-mode wireless communications device supporting both WAN communications and peer to peer communications includes: a transmitter chain for generating signals having a first RF frequency, a first receiver chain for processing received signals having a second RF frequency, and a second receiver chain for processing signals having the first RF frequency. This design is particularly advantageous in a communications system where a WAN frequency division duplex uplink band is shared with time division duplex (TDD) peer to peer communications signaling. The wireless terminal sets the transmitter chain and the second receiver/chain to the FDD uplink band and sets the first receiver chain to the FDD downlink band. This design accommodates rapid mode switching between the two modes of operation and reuses hardware where possible.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 60/845,053 filed on Sep. 15, 2006, titled “BEACONSIN A MIXED WIRELESS COMMUNICATION SYSTEM” which, is hereby expresslyincorporated, by reference.

FIELD

The present invention is directed to methods and apparatus for wirelesscommunications, and more particularly to methods and apparatus relatedto peer to peer communications.

BACKGROUND

Different types of alternative wireless communication approaches havebecome available. One approach involves the use of a wide area network,e.g., cellular network, with wireless terminal communications beingdirected through a base station acting as a point of network attachment.Another approach involves the use of peer to peer signaling withwireless terminal communications being exchanged between wirelessterminals without being routed through a base station. During some timesit may be advantageous to use the first approach, while at other timesit may be advantageous to use the second approach. It would bebeneficial if methods and apparatus were developed which allowed awireless terminal to support both approaches. It would be advantageousif such methods and apparatus facilitated rapid switching between thealternatives. It would also be desirable if the hardware was implementedin such a manner as to take advantage of hardware commonality in thedifferent modes.

SUMMARY

Methods and apparatus related to the sharing of wide area network (WAN)uplink bandwidth, with peer to peer communication signaling usage aredescribed. An exemplary multi-mode wireless communications devicesupporting both WAN communications and peer to peer communicationsincludes: a transmitter chain for generating signals having a first RFfrequency, a first receiver chain for processing received signals havinga second RF frequency, and a second receiver chain for processingsignals having the first RF frequency. The same transmitter chain isused in both the WAN mode and the peer to peer mode of operation. Thefirst receiver chain is used when in the WAN mode, while the secondreceiver chain is used when in the peer to peer mode. This design isparticularly advantageous in a communications system where a WANfrequency division duplex (FDD) uplink band is shared with time divisionduplex (TDD) peer to peer communications signaling. The wirelessterminal sets the transmitter chain and the second receiver chain to theFDD uplink band and sets the first receiver chain to the FDD downlinkband. This design accommodates rapid mode switching between the twomodes of operation and reuses hardware where possible, e.g., a singleA/D module services both receiver chains.

An exemplary multi-mode communications device, in accordance withvarious embodiments, includes: a transmitter chain for generatingtransmission signals having a first RF frequency; a first receiver chainfor processing received signals having a second RF frequency; and asecond receiver chain for processing received signals having the firstRF frequency. In various embodiments, the multi-mode, communicationsdevice further comprises a mode control module for switching between,use of said first and second receiver chains as a function of which oneof a first and second mode of operation the mode control module selectsto be used at a given time. The first mode is, e.g., a WAN mode ofoperation and the second mode is, e.g., a peer to peer mode ofoperation.

An exemplary method of operating a multi-mode communications devicecomprises: tuning a transmitter chain to generate transmission signalshaving a first RF frequency; tuning a first receiver chain to processreceived signals having a second RF frequency; and tuning a secondreceiver chain to process received signals having the first RFfrequency. In various embodiments, the method further comprises:switching between use of said first and second receiver chains as afunction of which one of a first and second mode of operation a modecontrol module selects to be used at a given time. The first mode is,e.g., a WAN mode of operation and the second mode is, e.g., a peer topeer mode of operation.

While various embodiments have been discussed is the summary above, itshould be appreciated that not necessarily all embodiments include thesame features and some of the features described above are not necessarybut can be desirable in some embodiments. Numerous additional features,embodiments and benefits are discussed in the detailed description whichfollows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a flowchart of an exemplary method of operating a wirelesscommunications terminal, e.g., s wireless communications terminalsupporting peer to peer communications, in accordance with variousembodiments.

FIG. 2 is a drawing of an exemplary wireless terminal, e.g., mobile nodesupporting peer to peer communications in accordance with variousembodiments.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of an exemplary method of operating a basestation, in accordance with various embodiments.

FIG. 4 is a drawing of an exemplary base station in accordance withvarious embodiments.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an exemplary method of operating a wirelesscommunications device which supports peer to peer signaling inaccordance with various embodiments.

FIG. 6 is a drawing of an exemplary wireless communications device,e.g., a wireless terminal such as a mobile node, supporting peer to peercommunications in accordance with various embodiments.

FIG. 7 comprising the combination of FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B is a flowchartof an exemplary method of operating a wireless communications devicesupporting peer to peer communications in accordance with variousembodiments.

FIG. 8 is a drawing of an exemplary wireless communications device,e.g., wireless terminal such as a mobile node, supporting peer to peercommunications in accordance with various embodiments.

FIG. 9 is a drawing illustrating one exemplary embodiment including anexemplary communications system, a table describing frequency band usageinformation and a table illustrating exemplary peer to peer wirelessterminal transmission power level information.

FIG. 10 is a drawing of an exemplary wireless communications system inaccordance with various embodiments.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of an exemplary method of operating a basestation in accordance with various embodiments.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of an exemplary method of operating a basestation in accordance with various embodiments.

FIG. 13 is a drawing of an exemplary base station in accordance withvarious embodiments.

FIG. 14 is a drawing including an exemplary communications system and afrequency baud usage table in accordance with various embodiments.

FIG. 15 is a drawing illustrating a feature of various embodiments, inwhich a wide area network has a silent period in which the base stationmonitors for and measures peer to peer noise.

FIG. 16 is a drawing illustrating several features of variousembodiments, and is a continuation of the example of FIG. 15.

FIG. 17 is a drawing of an exemplary look-up table for control valuesillustrating a feature of various embodiments.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart of an exemplary method of operating a basestation in accordance with various embodiments, e.g., a base station inwhich its uplink bandwidth is also utilized for peer to peer signaling.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart of an exemplary method of operating a basestation in accordance with various embodiments, e.g., a base station inwhich its uplink bandwidth is also utilized for peer to peer signaling.

FIG. 20 is a drawing of a plot of noise W on the vertical axis vscontrol factor α on the horizontal axis.

FIG. 21 is a drawing of a plot of noise W on the vertical axis vscontrol factor a on the horizontal axis, which illustrates a differentlevel of other cell interference and a different characteristic curve ascompared to FIG. 15.

FIG. 22 illustrates an exemplary method of adjusting the selection ofpower control factor a used in various embodiments.

FIG. 23 is a drawing illustrating exemplary bandwidth usage in someembodiments utilizing a time division duplex (TDD) for the wide areanetwork, e.g., for the cellular communications.

FIG. 24 is a drawing illustrating exemplary bandwidth usage in someembodiments utilizing a frequency division duplex (FDD) for the widearea network, e.g., for the cellular communications.

FIG. 25 is a drawing of an exemplary multi-mode wireless communicationsdevice implemented in accordance with various embodiments.

FIG. 26 is a drawing illustrating exemplary frequency bands and sharedfrequency band usage between wide area network communications usage andpeer to peer communications usage in accordance with variousembodiments.

FIG. 27 includes a flowchart of an exemplary method of operating amulti-mode wireless communications device and exemplary timing structureinformation in accordance with various embodiments.

FIG. 28 is a flowchart of an exemplary method of operating a multi-modewireless communications device in accordance with various embodiments.

FIG. 29 is a flowchart of an exemplary method of operating a multi-modewireless communications device in accordance with various embodiments.

FIG. 30 is a flowchart of an exemplary method of operating a multi-modewireless communications device in accordance with various embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a flowchart 100 of an exemplary method of operating a wirelesscommunications terminal, e.g., a wireless communications terminalsupporting peer to peer communications, in accordance with variousembodiments. The exemplary method starts in step 102, where the wirelesscommunications terminal is powered on and initialized. Operationproceeds from start step 102 to step 104. In step 104, the wirelesscommunications terminal scans an uplink bandwidth to detect a signalfrom a base station, e.g., a beacon signal from a base station. Invarious embodiments, the uplink bandwidth includes a set of frequenciesused for devices to transmit signals to the base station, e.g., a set ofOFDM tones comprising an uplink tone block. In some embodiments, thesignal being scanned for from the base station has a predeterminedformat. In some embodiments, the signal from the base station beingscanned for is transmitted at a predetermined time, e.g., with respectto a recurring timing structure being used by the base station, or withrespect to a predetermined time with respect to a peer to peer timingstructure. In some embodiments, wherein the base station signal isbeacon signal, the beacon signal is a signal including less than threetones in an OFDM symbol.

Operation proceeds from step 104 to step 106, in which the wirelesscommunications terminal evaluates the signal from the base station thatit has detected. In some embodiments, evaluating the signal from thebase station includes evaluating a transmission pattern of the basestation signal. Step 106 includes sub-step 110. In sub-step 110, thewireless communications terminal measures the power level of the signalfrom the base station. Then, in step 112, the wireless communicationsterminal determines if the evaluation of step 106 satisfies apredetermined criteria. The predetermined criteria is, e.g.,. that themeasured level of the signal received from the base station is below apredetermined threshold. The predetermined threshold is, in someembodiments, selected to correspond to an expected level of tolerableinterference from the wireless communications device at the base stationwhen the wireless communications device transmits peer to peer signals.If the criteria is satisfied, operation proceeds from step 112 to step114; otherwise, operation proceeds from step 112 to step 116. In step114, the wireless communications terminal transmits a peer to peersignal, while in step 116, the wireless communications terminal refrainsfrom transmitting a peer to peer signal.

Operation proceeds from step 114 to step 118, in which the wirelesscommunications terminal monitors for an additional base station signal,and then in step 120, the base station checks if there is a powerdifference detected between the last additional base station signal anda previously detected base station signal, e.g., the signal detected instep 104. If there is no power difference detected, the wirelesscommunications terminal is allowed to continue with peer to peertransmissions and operation proceeds from step 120 back to step 118 tomonitor for additional base station signals; however if a powerdifference was detected, then operation proceeds from step 120 to step122.

In step 122, the wireless communications terminal adjusts wirelessterminal transmission power as a function of said difference. Step 122includes sub-steps 124, 126 and 128. In sub-step 124, the wirelesscommunications terminal checks as to whether or not the power level ofthe last additional base station signal is in an acceptable range. Ifthe power level of the last additional base station signal is too high,that may indicate that the wireless communications terminal is too closeto the base station and that peer to peer transmission from the wirelesscommunications terminal will cause too much interference from theperspective of the base station receiver, and thus such transmissionsare not allowed. Alternatively, if the power level of the lastadditional base station signal is too low, that may indicate that thewireless communications device has moved outside the range of peer topeer service corresponding to the base station signal, and that thewireless communications terminal may be in a region corresponding to adifferent type of spectrum use, e.g., corresponding to a differentsendee provider and/or different technology, and therefore wirelesscommunications terminal transmission is not allowed. If it is determinedin sub-step 124 that the power level of the last additional base stationsignal is not in an acceptable range then operation proceeds fromsub-step 124 to sub-step 126; otherwise operation proceeds from sub-step124 to sub-step 128.

In sub-step 126, the wireless communications terminal adjusts itstransmission power as a function of said power difference and continueswith peer to peer transmissions. During some times, adjusting thetransmission power includes reducing transmission power as a function ofsaid difference, while at other times, adjusting the transmission poweras a function of said difference includes increasing the transmissionpower as a function of said difference. For example, if the wirelesscommunications terminal detects an increase in the measured power levelof the signal from the base station, the wireless communications reducesits peer to peer transmission signaling power level. Alternatively, ifthe wireless communications terminal detects a decrease in the measuredpower level of the signal from the base station, the wirelesscommunications increases its peer to peer transmission signaling powerlevel. While at still other times, adjusting wireless communicationsterminal transmission power as a function of said difference includesmaintaining transmission power level at an upper limit cap level.Operation proceeds from sub-step 126 to step 118, where the wirelesscommunications terminal monitors for an additional base station signal.

Returning to sub-step 128, in sub-step 128, the wireless communicationsterminal adjusts its transmission power to zero and ceases with peer topeer transmissions. Operation proceeds from sub-step 128 to step 104,where the wireless communications terminal scans for a base stationsignal.

FIG. 2 is a drawing of an exemplary wireless terminal 2300, e.g., mobilenode supporting peer to peer communications, in accordance with variousembodiments. Exemplary wireless terminal 2300 includes a receiver module2302, a transmitter module 2304, a processor 2306, user I/O devise 2308,and a memory 2310 coupled together via a bus 2312 over which the variouselements may interchange data and information. Memory 2310 includesroutines 2322 and data/information 2324. The processor 2306, e.g., aCPU, executes the routines 2322 and uses the data/information 2324 inmemory 2310 to control the operation of the wireless terminal 2300 andimplement methods, e.g., the method of flowchart 100 of FIG. 1.

Receiver module 2302, e.g., an OFDM receiver, is coupled to receiveantenna 2314 via which the wireless terminal receives signals. Receivedsignals include broadcast signals such as beacon signals transmitted bya base station into a frequency band being utilized for uplink cellularcommunications by the base station, e.g., during predetermined intervalsof time in which fee uplink cellular signaling is suspended. Receivedsignals also include peer to peer signals from other wireless terminalsoperating in a peer to peer mode of operation, said peer to peer signalsbeing communicated using the base station uplink frequency band, atleast some of the peer to peer signals being communicated duringintervals where uplink cellular communications are active. Receivermodule 2302 also Includes a tuner module 2316 for selecting thefrequency band to be received.

Transmitter module 2304, e.g., an OFDM transmitter, is coupled totransmit antenna 2318 via which the wireless terminal 2300 transmitspeer to peer signals. Wireless transmitter module's 2304 transmission ofpeer to peer signals is responsive to evaluation of detected signalsfrom fee base station. For example, the presence of a detectedpredetermined base station signal, e.g., a beacon signal which matches apredetermined format, e.g., a specific high power OFDM tone or set oftones in an OFDM symbol, in a potential cellular uplink bandwidth beingscanned, in some embodiments, indicates that the uplink band is alsoavailable for peer to peer communications usage. Continuing with theexample, the received power level of the base station broadcast signalin the uplink bandwidth, in some embodiments, is used by the wirelessterminal 2300 to determine maximum allowable peer to peer transmissionpower. Transmitter module 2304 includes a tuner module 2320 which, insome embodiments, is set to an uplink frequency band being used by abase station. In some embodiments, fee tuner module 2320 is set to tunethe transmitter 2304 to use some, but not necessarily all of the set ofthe frequencies being used in an uplink cellular band. For example, thepeer to peer communications band, in some embodiments, is a subset of asuplink cellular communications band to which it corresponds. At leastsome of the transmitted peer to peer signals are transmitted using thesame air link resource as is being used for cellular uplink signaling.In some embodiments, the same antenna is used for both receiver module2302 and transmitter module 2304. In some embodiments, both tunermodules (2316, 2320) are set to the same band for peer to peercommunications, e.g., the same uplink cellular communications band.

User I/O devices 2308 include, e.g., microphones, keyboard, keypad,camera, switches, speaker, display, etc. User I/O devices 2308 allow auser of wireless terminal 2300 to input data/information, access outputdata/information, and control at least some functions of the wirelessterminal 2300, e.g., initiate a peer to peer communications session.

Routines 2322 include a communications routine 2326 and wirelessterminal control routines 2328. Communications routine 2326 implementsthe various communications protocols used by the wireless terminal 2300.Wireless terminal control routines 2328 control the operation of thewireless terminal 2300 and implement methods. The wireless terminalcontrol routines 2328 include a scanning module 2330, a signalevaluation module 2332, a received base station signal power leveltracking module 2334, a power control module 2336 and a peer to peersignaling module 2338.

Data/information 2324 includes uplink bandwidth data information 2344,format information corresponding to a base station broadcast signalwhich is broadcast into an uplink bandwidth 2350, recurring scheduleinformation 2352, toner setting information 2356, received base stationsignal at time t0 2358, received base station signal (t0) power levelinformation 2360, received base station signal at rime t1 2362, receivedbase station signal (t1) power level information 2364, power levelchange information 2366, generated peer to peer signal 2368, and peer topeer signal transmission power level information 2370.

Uplink bandwidth data/information 2344 includes one or more sets ofinformation identifying a set of frequencies (information identifying afirst set of frequencies 2346, . . . , information identifying an Nthset of frequencies 2348). For example, in different parts of a WANcellular communication system using FDD a different uplink FDD band isutilized, and information 2346 identifies a first uplink band and afirst corresponding tuner setting while information 2348 identifies adifferent uplink band and a different corresponding tuner setting. Forexample, information identifying a first set of frequencies 2346includes information identifying a set of contiguous OFDM tones used asan uplink FDD cellular communications band and which are also utilizedfor peer to peer communications.

Format information corresponding to a base station broadcast signalwhich is broadcast into an uplink bandwidth 2350 includes informationused to characterize and identify such base station broadcast signals.For example, a particular beacon signal transmitted by a base stationinto an uplink bandwidth, in some embodiments, places equal amounts ofenergy on a small set, e.g., 1 to 3, OFDM tones of an OFDM symbol, andtransmits the signal at a relatively high power level. Formatinformation 2350 includes, e.g., information identifying sets of toneswhich correspond to a beacon signal.

Recurring schedule information 2352 includes recurring cellular uplinkand downlink schedule information and peer to peer recurring scheduleinformation. Recurring schedule information 2352 includes informationidentifying predetermined times of base station broadcasts into theuplink bandwidth 2354. For example, information 2354 includesinformation identifying when the scanning module 2330 should expect toreceive broadcast signals from base stations.

Tuner setting information 2356 includes information identifying thesetting of tuner modules 2316 and 2320. In some embodiments, inresponses to a base station broadcast signal being detected in an uplinkband being scanned, the wireless terminal 2300 identifies an uplinkcellular band also available for peer to peer communications usage, andtuner module 2320 is set to the same setting as to which tuner module2316 is currently set.

Received base station signal at time t0 2358 and received base stationsignal at time t1 2362 correspond to broadcast signals detected byscanning module 2330 at different times. The received base stationbroadcast signals 2358, 2362 are evaluated by signal evaluation module2332 with power measurement module 2342 obtaining received base stationsignal t(0) power level 2360, received base station signal t(1) powerlevel 2364, respectively. Power level change information 2366 is anoutput of received base station signal power level tracking module 2334,and is used as an input by power control module 2336 to control thetransmission power level of peer to peer signals.

Scanning module 2330 scans an uplink bandwidth to detect a signal from abase station. For example, scanning module 2330 scans a base stationuplink bandwidth, e.g., a base station uplink bandwidth which is a FDDband for cellular communications, to search to detect for the presenceof a broadcast signal, e.g., a beacon signal, transmitted by a basestation into the uplink bandwidth. In some embodiments, if the scanningmodule 2330 fails to detect the presence of a base station broadcastsignal in an uplink bandwidth being scanned the scanning module 2330switches to an alternative potential uplink hand to scan. In variousembodiments, the scanning module continues to monitor for additionalbase station signals after detecting the presence of a first broadcastsignal from the base station and after transmitting a peer to peersignal.

Signal evaluation module 2332 evaluates the detected signal from thebase station. Signal evaluation module 2332 includes a transmissionpattern evaluation module 2340 and a power measurement module 2342.Transmission pattern evaluation module 2340 evaluates a transmissionpattern of the base station signal. For example, transmission patternevaluation module 2340 attempts to match a detected pattern such as aset of detected tones in a received OFDM symbol having a high relativepower level with stored information, characterizing an anticipatedsignal. In some embodiments, the pattern includes a sequence of tonesets which change, e.g., hop over time in accordance with apredetermined pattern. Power measurement module 2342 measures the powerlevel of the signal from the base station, e.g., the power level of thebeacon signal from the base station which has been transmitted in theuplink band. In some embodiments, the beacon signal is a signalincluding less than 3 tones in an OFDM symbol. In various embodiments,the wireless terminal continues to evaluate additional detected signalsfrom the base station, e.g., measuring the power level of the additionalreceived broadcast signals.

Received base station signal power level tracking module 2334 calculateschanges in the received power level of detected broadcast signals fromthe base station. Power control module 2336 controls the transmissionpower level of peer to peer signals transmitted by wireless terminal2300 as a function of received base station broadcast signal powermeasurement information and/or changes in received base stationbroadcast signal power level information. For example, the power controlmodule 2336 adjusts peer to peer transmission power in response todetecting a difference between the received power of successive receivedbase station broadcast signals. At times, power control module 2336reduces peer to peer transmission power, said reduction being responsiveto continued monitoring of the base station signaling.

Peer to peer signaling module 2338 generates peer to peer signals 2368and controls transmitter module 2304 to transmit such signals at a powerlevel in accordance with the peer to peer signal transmission powerlevel 2370. The peer to peer transmission power level is an output ofpower control module 2336.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart 200 of an exemplary method of operating a basestation, hi accordance with various embodiments. Operation starts instep 202, where tire base station is powered on and initialized andproceeds to step 204.

In step 204, the base station receives, during a first period of timeuplink signals from cellular communications devices transmitting to saidbase station in an uplink frequency band. Operation proceeds from step204 to step 206.

In step 206, the base station transmits during a second period of time.Step 206 includes sub-steps 208 and 210, which may be, and sometimesare, performed in parallel. In sub-step 208, the base station transmitsto at least some of said cellular communications devices using a secondfrequency band which is different from said first frequency band, saidsecond frequency band being & downlink frequency band. In sub-step 210,the base station transmits a broadcast signal in said uplink frequencyband. In some embodiments, the broadcast signal transmitted into saiduplink frequency band, is a beacon signal, e.g., an OFDM beacon signalincluding less than 3 OFDM tones in an OFDM symbol. In some embodiments,the broadcast signal transmitted into said uplink frequency band is apower transmission level control signal.

In some embodiments, the uplink signals from cellular communicationsdevices are received during the first period of time in the presence ofpeer to peer communications signals transmitted into said uplinkfrequency band which interfere with said uplink signals. Thus the uplinkfrequency band is also concurrently utilized for peer to peer signaling.

FIG. 4 is a drawing of an exemplary base station 2400 is accordance withvarious embodiments. Exemplary base station 2400 is, e.g., part of a WANcellular communications system and uses an FDD uplink baud and a FDDdownlink frequency band. Continuing with the example, the base station2400 also transmits a broadcast signal, e.g., a beacon signal, into theuplink communications band to support peer to peer communications. Insome embodiments, the base station's implemented recurring timingstructure intentionally suspends uplink signaling from cellularcommunications devices during predetermined intervals in which the basestation 2400 transmits broadcast signals into the uplink communicationsband. In some such embodiments, the relative time allocated to the basestation 2400 broadcast signals into the uplink band with respect to timeallocated to uplink wireless terminal cellular signaling directed to thebase station into the uplink band is less than or equal to 2%. Invarious embodiments, the uplink communications band is allowed to beutilized for peer to peer signaling concurrently with cellular uplinkcommunications. In some such embodiments, the base station 2400 managesthe interference from the peer to peer devices, and the interferencemanagement includes varying the transmission power level of thebroadcast signal, transmitted Into the uplink communications band. Peerto peer devices receiving the broadcast signal control theirtransmission power levels as a function of the received power level ofthe base station broadcast signal into the uplink communications band.

Base station 2400 includes a receiver module 2402, a transmitter module2404, a processor 2406, an I/O interface 2408, and memory 2410 coupledtogether via a bus 2412 over which the various elements may exchangedata and information. Memory 2410 includes routines 2418 anddata/information 2420. The processor 2406, e.g., a CPU, executes theroutines 2418 and uses the data/information 2420 in memory 2410 tocontrol the operation of the base station and implement methods, e.g.,the method of flowchart 200 of FIG. 3.

Receiver module 2402, e.g., an OFDM receiver, is coupled to receiveantenna 2414 via which the base station 2400 receives during a firstperiod of time uplink signals from cellular communications devicestransmitting to the base station 2400 in an uplink frequency band.Uplink signals from cellular communications devices are received duringthe first period of time in the presence of peer to peer communicationssignals transmitted in the uplink frequency hand which interfere withthe uplink signals.

Transmitter module 2404, e.g., an OFDM transmitter, is coupled totransmit, antenna 2416, via which the base station 2400 transmits to atleast some of the cellular communications devices using a downlinkfrequency band and for transmitting a broadcast signal during a secondperiod of time in said uplink frequency band, wherein said downlinkfrequency baud, is different from said uplink frequency band and whereinsaid first period of time and said second period of time arenon-overlapping. Downlink signals intended for cellular communicationsdevices include, e.g., downlink band beacon signals, assignment signals,paging signals and traffic signals. In some embodiments, the transmittermodule 2404 includes a first transmitter sub-module 2405 and a secondtransmitter sub-module 2407. For example, first transmitter sub-module2405 is used for downlink cellular signaling, and the second transmittersub-module 2407 is used for transmitting a broadcast signal such asbeacon signal into an uplink frequency band.

One advantage of an implementation using individual first and secondtransmitter sub-module 2405, 2507 is that first transmitter sub-module2405 can be set to transmit on a downlink FDD band and need not have toaccommodate the UL TDD band into which the broadcast signal used forpeer to peer support is communicated. For example, receiver module 2402and second transmitter sub-module 2407 can be tuned to the same UL FDDband, while first transmitter module 2405 can be toned to a DL FDD band,and downlink cellular communications can continue in an uninterruptedmanner. Another advantage of this approach is that an existing basestation supporting cellular communications can be adapted to supportpeer to peer communications utilizing the same uplink FDD band byinsertion of second transmitter sub-module 2407 into the base stationalong with some software modifications, e.g., to alter the uplink timingstructure to suspend uplink cellular communications dining the briefintervals of base station signaling into the uplink frequency baud.

I/O Interface 2408 couples the base station 2400 to other network nodes,e.g., other base stations, AAA nodes, home agent nodes, and/or theinternet. I/O interface 2408, by coupling base station 2400 to abackhaul network, allows a cellular communications device using basestation 2400 as its point of network attachment to participate in acommunications session with another cellular communications device usinga different base station as its point of network attachment.

Routines 2418 include a communications routine 2422, a broadcast signal,e.g., beacon signal, generation module 2424, a peer to peer interferencemanagement module 2426, a cellular downlink module 2428 and a cellularuplink module 2430. Communications routine 2422 implements the variouscommunications protocols used by the base station 2400. Broadcast signalgeneration module 2424 generates broadcast signals used by cellularcommunications devices and peer to peer communications devices. In someembodiments, at least some of the downlink band broadcast signals, e.g.,downlink band beacon signals, generated by module 2424 convey basestation identification information, e.g., cell, sector, and/orattachment point information. In some embodiments, at least some of theuplink band broadcast signals, e.g., uplink band beacon signals,generated by module 2424 are transmission power level control signals,e.g., a signal used, to control a peer to peer device's maximumtransmission power level.

In some embodiments, the broadcast signal generation module 2424includes an uplink band beacon signal generation module 2432 forgenerating a beacon signal to he transmitted into an uplink frequencyband and a downlink band beacon signal generation module 2434 forgenerating a beacon signal to be transmitted into a downlink frequencyhand. In various embodiments, the uplink band beacon signal generationmodule 2432 includes a power level module 2436 for setting thetransmission power level of the beacon signal into the uplink band as afunction of information received from the peer to peer interferencemanagement module 2426. In some embodiments, the downlink hand beaconsignal generation module 2434 includes a base station identificationmodule 2438 for incorporating base station identification informationinto fee downlink band beacon signal. In some embodiments, a generateddownlink band beacon signal corresponding to a base station attachmentpoint is transmitted at the same transmission power level, while thetransmission power level of a generated uplink band beacon, signal istransmitted at different power levels at different times, e.g., as partof the management of peer to peer signaling which is causinginterference with regard to base station receiver 2402 reception ofcellular communication uplink signals.

Peer to peer interference management module 2426 manages peer to peersignaling interference levels being experienced at receiver module 2402by operations including setting a power level for a broadcast signal,e.g., a beacon signal, to be transmitted into the uplink frequency band.In some embodiments, the peer to peer interference management module2426 determines to increase the power level of the transmitted broadcastsignal Into the uplink band when it desires to reduce levels ofinterference from peer to peer signaling, and decreases the power levelof the transmitted broadcast signal into the uplink band when it desiresto allow increased levels of interference from peer to peer signaling.

Cellular downlink module 2428 controls the generation and transmissionof downlink signals directed to cellular devices 2450. Cellular uplinkmodule 2430 controls the reception of uplink signals from cellularcommunications devices and the recovery of information from thosesignals obtaining received uplink signals from cellular devices 2448.

Data/information 2420 includes time/frequency structure information2440, broadcast signal format information 2442, a generated broadcastsignal to be transmuted into the uplink band 2444, a generated broadcastsignal 2446 to be transmitted into the downlink band 2446, receiveduplink signals from cellular devices 2448, and downlink signals directedto cellular devices 2450. Time/frequency structure information 2440includes recurring time structure information 2452, uplink frequencyband information 2454 and downlink frequency band information 2456.Recurring time structure information 2452 includes informationidentifying time intervals for uplink signals 2458 and informationidentifying time intervals used for base station broadcast signals intothe uplink band 2460. Information identifying time intervals for uplinksignals 2458 includes, e.g., information identifying access intervalsand information Identifying intervals used for at least one of uplinkcontrol signaling and uplink traffic signaling. Information identifyingtime intervals for base station broadcast signals into the uplink band2460 identifies intervals used for base station transmission ofbroadcast signals, e.g., beacon signals, into m uplink band, duringwhich normal uplink cellular communication signaling is suspended. Thusthe base station broadcast signal, e.g., beacon signal, into the uplinkfrequency band is not interfered with by cellular uplink signalsdirected to base station 2400, facilitating recovery of the broadcastsignal by peer to peer wireless communications devices. In someembodiments, the ratio of allocation of time to base station broadcastinto the uplink band and cellular uplink signaling into the uplink bandis less than or equal to 2%.

Uplink frequency band information 2454 includes information identifyinga set of frequencies, e.g., a set of contiguous OFDM tones, to be usedas a cellular uplink FDD band by the base station 2400 and carrierfrequency information corresponding to the band. The uplink frequencyband is also to be utilized as a peer to peer communications band withat least some peer to peer communications using the same air linkresources as uplink cellular communications. The base station 2400 alsotransmits & broadcast signal into the uplink communications band.Downlink frequency band information 2456 includes informationidentifying a set of frequencies, e.g., a set of contiguous OFDM tones,to be used as a cellular downlink FDD band by the base station 2400 andcarrier frequency information-corresponding to the band.

Broadcast signal format information 2442, e.g., information identifyingthe format of a beacon signal to be transmitted into an uplink frequencyband, includes, e.g., information identifying a set of tones, e.g., 1 to3 tones, to be used to represent the beacon signal. In some embodiments,a set of tones corresponding to a beacon signal, are hopped over time inaccordance with a predetermined hopping sequence and such information isalso included in information 2442.

Generated broadcast signal for uplink band 2444, e.g., a beacon signal,is an output of broadcast signal generation module 2424. For someembodiments, information 2444 is an output of uplink band beacon signalgeneration module 2432. Generated broadcast signal for downlink band2444, e.g., a beacon signal, is an output of broadcast signal generationmodule 2424. For some embodiments, information 2446 is an output ofdownlink band beacon signal generation module 2434.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart 700 of an exemplary method of operating a wirelesscommunications device which supports peer to peer signaling inaccordance with various embodiments. Operation starts in step 702, wherethe wireless communications device is powered on and Initialized andproceeds to step 704, where the wireless communications device receivesa first signal from a base station. In some embodiments, the firstsignal is received in an uplink frequency band used to transmit uplinksignals to the base station. In some other embodiments, the first signalis received in a frequency band which is a downlink frequency band usedby said base station and peer to peer signals are transmitted in anotherfrequency band. In such an embodiment, the another frequency hand usedfor peer to peer signaling may be, and sometimes is, an uplink frequencyband used to transmit uplink signals to the base station. The approachof using the uplink frequency band to convey the first signal from thebase station has the advantage that a peer to peer wirelesscommunications device can remain on the same frequency band used forpeer to peer signals and still be able to monitor for the first signalfrom the base station. This facilitates a simple design and/or low costimplementation for the peer to peer wireless communications device.However, there is additional complexity at the base station since it nowtransmits into a band it did not previously use for transmissions.

Alternatively, the approach of using the downlink band of the basestation to convey the first signal is easier from the base station'sperspective; however, the peer to peer wireless communications devicerequires additional complexity and/or cost since it needs to monitor twobands, e.g., involving multiple receivers and/or the complexity Involvedin switching between bands.

Operation proceeds from step 704 to step 706. In step 706, the wirelesscommunications device performs a measurement on the received signal,e.g., a signal power measurement. Operation proceeds to one or more ofsteps 708 and 722. In some embodiments, the wireless communicationsdevice supports peer to peer signaling, but does not support uplinksignaling to the base station, e.g., as part of a cellular network, andin such embodiments, step 722 is not an option. In some embodiments, thewireless communications device supports, at any given time one of a peerto peer mode and a cellular mode of operation, and for a given time,operation can proceed to one of step 708 and step 722. In someembodiments, the wireless communications device supports concurrent peerto peer signaling and cellular signaling and operation may proceed fromstep 706 to steps 708 and step 722.

Operation proceeds from step 706 to step 708 for peer to peer signaling,while operation proceeds from step 706 to step 722 for uplink signals tothe base station. In step 708, the wireless communications devicecontrols peer to peer transmission power for at least some peer to peersignal transmissions as a function of the result of the measurement ofthe first signal. Step 708 includes sub-steps 710 and 712. In sub-step710, the wireless communications device uses & first function, whichlimits peer to peer transmission power to a lower level for a firstreceived signal power level than for a second received signal powerlevel which is higher than said first received signal power level, todetermine a maximum transmission permitted peer to peer transmissionpower level. Then, in sub-step 712, the wireless communications devicedetermines an actual peer to peer transmission power level as a functionof the determined maximum peer to peer transmission power level and apeer to peer signal received from a second peer to peer communicationsdevice. The second peer to peer communications device is, e.g., the peerdevice with which the communications device performing the operations offlowchart 700 is having a peer to peer communications session. Thus, thepeer to peer transmission power level, in some embodiments, isinfluenced by both a received base station signal and a peer to peersignal. The peer to peer signal, in some embodiments, communicatesand/or is used to derive at least one of: peer to peer channel conditioninformation, peer to peer data rate information, peer to peer databacklog information, peer to peer latency information, noiseinformation, error rate information, service level information and peerto peer power control information. In some embodiments, the actual peerto peer transmission power is restricted to be equal to or below thedetermined maximum peer to peer transmission power level. In someembodiments, for at least some conditions, e.g., a high priority user ora certain service level, the actual peer to peer transmission level cansometimes exceed, e.g., override, the determined maximum peer to peertransmission power level which is based on the received base stationsignal. Operation proceeds from step 708 to step 714.

In step 714, the wireless communications device receives a second signalfrom the base station at a time which is different from the time atwhich said first signal is received. Then, in step 716, the wirelesscommunications device performs a measurement of the received secondsignal, e.g., a power measurement of the received second signal.Operation proceeds from step 716 to step 718, in which the wirelesscommunications devices determines from the measured power of the secondreceived signal mat the wireless communications device should refrainfrom transmitting peer to peer communications signals. Operationproceeds from step 718 to step 720. In step 720, the wirelesscommunications device refrains from transmitting peer to peercommunications signals after determining that the communications deviceshould refrain from transmitting peer to peer communications signalsuntil determining from measuring the power of another signal from thebase station that the wireless communications device is permitted totransmit peer to peer signals.

Returning to step 722, in step 722, the wireless communications devicecontrols transmission power of a signal transmitted to a transmissionpower level which is greater than said peer to peer transmission powerlevel used for at least some peer to peer signal transmissions. Step 722includes sub-step 724. In sub-step 724, the wireless communicationsdevice uses a second function when controlling transmission power tosaid base station to determined the transmission power of said signaltransmitted to said base station based on the measured power of thereceived first signal, said second function being different from saidfirst function. In some embodiments, the peer to peer transmissionsignal power level is at least 10 dBs below the transmission power levelof the said signal transmitted to the base station.

FIG. 6 is a drawing of an exemplary wireless communications device 2900,e.g., wireless terminal such as a mobile node, supporting peer to peercommunications in accordance with various embodiments. Exemplarycommunications device 2900 can, and sometimes does, use a WAN uplinkband in which to conduct peer to peer communications. Exemplary wirelesscommunications device 2900 receives a signal from a base station whichit utilizes in determining whether or not it is permitted to transmitpeer to peer signals into the base station's uplink band and/or peer topeer transmission power level information, e.g., a maximum peer to peertransmission power level.

Wireless communications device 2900 includes a receiver module 2902, atransmitter module 2904, user I/O devices 2908, a processor 2906, andmemory 2910 coupled together via a bus 2912 over which the variouselements may interchange data and information. Memory 2910 includesroutines 2918 and data/information 2920.

The processor 2906, e.g., a CPU, executes the routines 2918 and uses thedata/information 2920 in memory 2910 to control the operation of thewireless communications device 2900 and implement methods.

Receiver module 2902, e.g., an OFDM receiver, is coupled to receiveantenna 2914 via which the wireless communications device 2900 receivesa signal from a base station, said received signal used in determiningpeer to peer transmission power level information. Receiver module 2902also receives peer to peer communications signals. In some embodiments,during some times, receiver module 2902 receives downlink signals, e.g.,assignment signals and traffic signals, from a base station that thewireless communications device is using as a point of attachment in awide area network, with the communications device 2900 functioning as acellular communications device.

Transmitter module 2904, e.g., an OFDM transmitter, is coupled totransmit antenna 2916, via which the wireless communications device 2900transmits peer to peer signals to other wireless communications devices.In some embodiments, during some time intervals, the transmitter module2904 transmits uplink signals to a base station, with the wirelesscommunications device functioning in a WAN mode of operation, e.g., acellular mode of operation.

User I/O devices 2908 include, e.g., microphone, keyboard, keypad,mouse, camera, switches, speaker, display, etc. User I/O devices 2908allow a user of wireless communications device 2900 to inputdata/information, access output data/information, and control at leastsome functions of the wireless communications device 2900, e.g., attemptto initiate a peer to peer communications session.

Routines 2918 includes a communications routine 2922 and wirelessterminal control routines 2924. The communications routine 2922implements the various communications protocols used by the wirelesscommunications device 2900. Wireless terminal control routines 2924include a measurement module 2926, an authorization module 2940, peer topeer transmission control module 2941 and a peer to peer transmissionpower control module 2928. In some embodiments, e.g., an embodimentsupporting both peer to peer communications and WAN communications,e.g., cellular communications, the wireless terminal control routines2924 includes wide area network transmission power control module 2936.

Measurement module 2926 performs a measurement on a received signal froma base station. Signals (2942, 2944) represent inputs to measurementmodule 2926 while information (2946, 2948) represents outputs ofmeasurement module 2926. In various embodiments, the measurement ofmeasurement module 2926 is a signal power measurement.

Authorization module 2940 can, and sometimes does, determine from themeasured power of a received base station signal that fee wirelesscommunications device 2900 should refrain from transmitting peer to peersignals. Authorization module 2940 can, and sometimes does, determinefrom the measured power of a received base station signal that thewireless communications device 2900 is permitted to transmit peer topeer signals. Peer to peer transmission authorization status 2950 is anoutput of authorization module 2940 and is used as an input by peer topeer transmission control module 2941.

Peer to peer transmission control module 2941 controls the wirelesstransmitter module 2904 to refrain from transmitting peer to peercommunications signals after determining that the communications device2900 should refrain from transmitting peer to peer signals untildetermining that the wireless communications device 2900 is permitted totransmit peer to peer signals. Thus peer to peer transmission controlmodule 2941, using peer to peer transmission authorization status 2950,functions as a peer to peer transmit enable/disable controller.

Peer to peer transmission power control module 2928 controls peer topeer transmission power for at least some peer to peer signaltransmissions as a function of the result of a measurement of a receivedbase station signal. Peer to peer transmission power control module 2928includes a maximum peer to peer transmission power level determinationsub-module 2930, an actual peer to peer transmission power leveldetermination sub-module 2932 and a first function 2934. The peer topeer transmission power control module 2928 uses the first function 2934which limits peer to peer transmission power to a lower level for afirst received signal power level than for a second received signalpower level which is higher than said first received signal power level.In various embodiments, the peer to peer transmission power controlmodule 2928 limits peer to peer transmission power to lower levels inresponse to greater measured received signal power levels.

Maximum peer to peer transmission power level sub-module 2930 uses thefirst function 2934 to determine a maximum peer to peer transmissionpower level. Actual peer to peer transmission power level sub-module2932 determines an actual peer to peer signal transmission power levelas a function of said maximum peer to peer transmission power level anda peer to peer signal received from a second peer to peer communicationsdevice. In various embodiments, sub-module 2932 controls the actualdetermined peer to peer transmission power level to be less than orequal to the maximum peer to peer transmission power level.

Wide area network transmission power control module 2936 controlstransmission power of a signal transmitted to the base station to atransmission power level which is greater than said peer to peertransmission power level used for at least some peer to peer signaltransmission. WAN transmission power control module 2936 includes asecond function 2938 which is different from the first function 2934.The wide area network transmission power control module 2936 control oftransmission power of a signal transmitted to said base station includesusing the second function 2938 which is different from the firstfunction 2934 to determine the transmission power level of a signaltransmitted to the base station based on the measured received powerlevel of a signal from the base station.

For example, received base station signal N 2944 is measured bymeasurement module 2926 obtaining signal N measurement information 2948which is input to both peer to peer transmission power control module2928 and WAN transmission power control module 2936. Peer to peer module2928 uses first function 2934 to process input 2848 and obtains adetermined maximum peer to peer transmission power level 2952, while WANmodule 2936 processes the same input 2948 using the second function 2938and obtains a determined maximum WAN transmission power level 2956 whichis a higher level than the determined maximum peer to peer transmissionpower level 2952.

In various embodiments, the peer to peer transmission signal power levelis at least 10 dBs below the transmission power level of the signaltransmitted to the base station. For example, determined maximum peer topeer transmission power level 2952 is a least 10 dBs below determinedmaximum WAN transmission power level 2956 for the same value of measuredbase station signal. As another example, in some embodiments, if awireless terminal is at a location and has determined peer to peertransmission power level information and WAN transmission power levelinformation based on the same received base station signal measurement,the determined actual peer to peer transmission power level 2954 is atleast 10 dBs below the determined actual WAN transmission power level2958.

Data/information 2920 includes a plurality of received signals from abase station which are measured and utilized in determining transmissionpower level information (received base station signal 1 2942, . . . ,received base station signal N 2944), a plurality of correspondingsignal measurement information (signal 1 measurement information 2946, .. . , signal N measurement information 2948), respectively.Data/information 2920 also includes peer to peer transmissionauthorization status information 2950 which indicates whether or not thewireless communications device 2900 is currently allowed to transmitpeer to peer signals. Data/information 2920 also includes a determinedmaximum peer to peer transmission power level 2952 which Is the outputof sub-module 2930 and a determined actual peer to peer transmissionpower level 2954 which is the output of sub-module 2932.

Timing/frequency structure information 2960, included as part of datainformation 2920, includes uplink frequency band information 2962, e.g.,WAN uplink bandwidth information, WAN uplink carrier information anduplink WAN tone set information, downlink frequency band information2964, e.g., WAN downlink bandwidth information, WAN downlink carrierinformation and downlink WAN tone set information, and informationidentifying the location of the measured base station signals 2966. Inthis exemplary embodiment peer to peer communications signaling uses aWAN uplink frequency band being used by a base station with the peer topeer signals acting as interference to the WAN uplink signals directedto the base station. The signal, which is received by wirelesscommunications device 2900, is measured, and the measurement is utilizedto control wireless communications device peer to peer transmissionpower level; in some embodiments, the signal is communicated in the WANuplink band, while in other embodiments, the signal is communicated inthe WAN downlink band. Information 2966 identifies which WAN bandcarries this signal, and in some embodiments, identifies more specificinformation corresponding to the signal, e.g., a point in a recurringtiming structure and/or specific tone information used to identify thesignal.

In various embodiments in which the wireless communications device 2900supports WAN communications, e.g., cellular communications,data/information 2920 also includes determined maximum WAN transmissionpower level information 2956 and determined actual WAN transmissionpower level information 2958, which are outputs of WAN transmissionpower control module 2936.

FIG. 7 comprising the combination of FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B is a flowchart800 of an exemplary method of operating a wireless communications devicesupporting peer to peer communications in accordance with variousembodiments. Operation starts in step 802, where the wirelesscommunications device is powered on and initialized and proceeds to step804, where the wireless communications device receives a first signalfrom a base station. In some embodiments, the first signal is receivedin an uplink frequency baud used to transmit uplink signals to the basestation. In some other embodiments, the first signal is received in afrequency band which is a downlink frequency band used by said basestation and peer to peer signals are transmitted in another frequencyband. In such an embodiment, the another frequency band used for peer topeer signaling may be, and sometimes is an uplink frequency band used totransmit uplink signals to the base station.

Operation proceeds from step 804 to step 806. In step 806, the wirelesscommunications device performs a measurement on the received signal,e.g., a signal power measurement. Operation proceeds from step 806 tostep 808.

In step 808 fee wireless communications device determines a transmissionpower level control parameter. In one exemplary embodiment step 808includes sub-steps 81.0 and 812. In another exemplary embodiment step808 includes sub-step 814 and 816. In still another exemplary embodimentstep 808 includes sub-steps 814 and 818.

In sub-step 810, the wireless communications device accesses memory,including stored transmission power level control parameterscorresponding to different service levels, and then in sub-step 812 thewireless communications device retrieves a stored transmission powercorresponding to a service level corresponding to said wirelesscommunications device.

In sub-step 814, the wireless communications device recovers a controlvalue from a signal received by said wireless communications device fromsaid base station. In some embodiments, the signal from which thecontrol value is recovered is the first signal which was received instep 804. Operation proceeds from sub-step 814 to one of sub-steps 816and 818. In sub-step 816, the wireless communications device uses therecovered control value as the transmission power level controlparameter. Alternatively, in sub-step 818, the wireless communicationsdevice calculates the transmission power level control parameter basedon the recovered control value and a service level corresponding to thewireless terminal.

Operation proceeds from step 808 to step 820. In step 820, the wirelesscommunications device controls peer to peer transmission power for atleast some peer to peer transmissions as a function of the result of themeasurement of the first signal, wherein control of peer to peertransmission power includes controlling peer to peer transmission poweraccording to a first function, and wherein controlling peer to peertransmission power according to a first function includes using saiddetermined transmission power level control parameter in said firstfunction in addition to said measured received power level. Operationproceeds from step 820 via connecting node A 822 to step 824.

In step 824, the wireless communications device receives a second signalfrom the base station at a time which, is different from the time atwhich said first signal is received. Then, in step 826, the wirelesscommunications device performs a measurement of the received secondsignal, e.g., a power measurement of the received second signal.Operation, proceeds from step 826 to step 828, in which the wirelesscommunications device determines from the measured power of the secondreceived signal that the wireless communications device should refrainfrom transmitting peer to peer communications signals. Operationproceeds from step 828 to step 830. In step 830, the wirelesscommunications device refrains from transmitting peer to peercommunications signals after determining, that the communications deviceshould refrain from transmitting peer to peer communications signalsuntil determining from measuring the power of another signal from thebase station that the wireless communications device is permitted totransmit peer to peer signals.

FIG. 8 is a drawing of an exemplary wireless communications device 3000,e.g., wireless terminal such as a mobile node, supporting peer to peercommunications in accordance with various embodiments. Exemplarycommunications device 3000 can, and sometimes does, use a WAN uplinkband in which to conduct peer to peer communications. Exemplary wirelesscommunications device 3000 receives a signal from a base station whichit utilizes in determining whether or not it is permitted to transmitpeer to peer signals into the base station's uplink band and/or indetermining peer to peer transmission power level information, e.g., amaximum peer to peer transmission power level.

Wireless communications device 3000 includes a receiver module 3002, atransmitter module 3004, user I/O devices 3008, a processor 3006, andmemory 3010 coupled together via a bus 3012 over which the variouselements may interchange data and information. Memory 3010 includesroutines 3018 and data/information 3020.

The processor 3006, e.g., a CPU, executes the routines 3018 and uses thedata/information 3020 in memory 3010 to control the operation of thewireless communications device 3000 and implement methods, e.g., themethod of flowchart 800 of FIG. 7.

Receiver module 3002, e.g., an OFDM receiver, is coupled to receiveantenna 3014 via which the wireless communications device 3000 receivesa signal from a base station, said received signal used in determiningpeer to peer transmission power level information. Receiver module 3002also receives peer to peer communications signals. Transmitter module3004, e.g., an OFDM transmitter, is coupled to transmit antenna 3016,via which the wireless communications device 3000 transmits peer to peersignals to other wireless communications devices.

User I/O devices 3008 include, e.g., microphone, keyboard, keypad,mouse, camera, switches, speaker, display, etc. User I/O devices 3008allow a user of wireless communications device 3000 to inputdata/information, access output data/information, and control at leastsome functions of the wireless communications device 3000, e.g., attemptto initiate a peer to peer communications session.

Routines 3018 includes a communications routine 3022 and wirelessterminal control routines 3024. The communications routine 3022implements the various communications protocols used by the wirelesscommunications device 3000. Wireless terminal control routines 3024include a measurement module 3026, a power level control parameterdetermination module 3028, a service level identification module 3034and a peer to peer transmission power control module 3036.

Measurement module 3026 performs a measurement on a received signal froma base station. Received base station signal 1 3044 represents an inputto measurement module 3026 while signal 1 measurement information 3046represents an output: of measurement module 3026. In variousembodiments, the measurement of measurement module 3026 is a signalpower measurement.

Power level control parameter determination module 3028 determines atransmission power level control parameter. In some embodiments, thepower level control parameter determination module 3028 sets thetransmission power level control parameter to the retrieved controlparameter 3048. In some embodiments, the power level control parameterdetermination module 3028 determines the transmission power levelcontrol parameter as a function of the retrieved control parameter 3048.In some embodiments, the power level control parameter determinationmodule 3028 sets the transmission power level control parameter to therecovered control parameter, e.g., decoded control parameter 3050. Insome embodiments, the power level control parameter determination module3028 determines the transmission power level control parameter as afunction of the recovered control parameter, e.g., decoded controlparameter 3050. In some embodiments, the power level control parameterdetermination module 3028 determines the transmission power levelcontrol parameter as a function of the identified service level 3052. Insome embodiments, the power level control parameter determination module3028 determines the transmission power level control parameter as afunction of the retrieved control parameter 3048 and the recoveredcontrol parameter, e.g., decoded control parameter 3050. In someembodiments, the power level control parameter determination module 3028determines the transmission power level control parameter by operationsincluding one of: i) using the recovered value as the transmission powerlevel control parameter and ii) calculating the transmission powercontrol parameter based on the recovered control value and a servicelevel corresponding to the wireless terminal.

Service level identification module 3034 identifies a current servicelevel corresponding to the wireless communications device 3000. Forexample, some different users of communications device 3000, in someembodiments, correspond to different service levels, e.g., emergencyusers, government associated users, service provider users, tier 1corporate users, tier 2 corporate users, tier 1 private users, tier 2private users, etc. In other examples, different service levels cancorrespond to different types of communications devices, different typesof data to be communicated, different amounts of data to be communicatedand/or different latency considerations. The identified current servicelevel is specified in identified service level 3052.

Power level control parameter determination module 3028 includes aretrieval module 3030 and a control parameter recovery module 3032.Retrieval module 3030 retrieves a stored transmission power levelcontrol parameter corresponding to a service level corresponding to thewireless communications device 3000. Thus retrieval module 3030 usesIdentified service level 3052 as input, accesses service level to powerlevel control parameter mapping Information 3060 and obtains the controlparameter associated with the input service level. Retrieved controlparameter 3048 is an output of retrieval module 3030.

Control parameter recovery module 3032 recovers a control value from asignal received by the communications device 3000 from a base station.In some embodiments, the control value is recovered from the same signalwhich is measured by measurement module 3026, e.g., received basestation signal 1 3044. Decoded control parameter 3050 is an output ofcontrol parameter recovery module 3032. In some embodiments, therecovered control value is an interference level indicator value.

Peer to peer transmission power control module 3036 controls peer topeer transmission power for at least some peer to peer signaltransmissions as a function of the result of a measurement of a receivedbase station signal. Peer to peer transmission power control module 3036includes a maximum peer to peer transmission power level determinationsub-module 3038, an actual peer to peer transmission power leveldetermination sub-module 3040 and a first function 3042.

Maximum peer to peer transmission power level sub-module 3038 uses thefirst function 3042 to determine a maximum peer to peer transmissionpower level. Actual peer to peer transmission power level sub-module3040 determines an actual peer to peer signal transmission power levelas a function of said maximum peer to peer transmission power level anda peer to peer signal received from a second peer to peer communicationsdevice. In various embodiments, sub-module 3040 controls the actualdetermined peer to peer transmission power level to be less than orequal to the maximum peer to peer transmission power level

Peer to peer transmission power level control module 3036 uses adetermined transmission power level control parameter 3054 in additionto a measured received power level, e.g., from signal 1 measurementinformation 3046 in determining a peer to peer transmission power level,e.g., in determining determined maximum peer to peer transmission powerlevel 3056. In some embodiments, some or all of the functions of thepower level control parameter determination module 3028 are included aspart of the peer to peer transmission power control module 3036.

Data/information 3020 includes a received signal from a base station,received base station signal 1 3044, which is measured by measurementmodule 3026 obtaining signal 1 measurement information 3046 which isutilized in determining transmission power level information.Data/information 3020 also includes a transmission power level controlparameter 3054, a determined maximum peer to peer transmission powerlevel 3056, a determined actual peer to peer transmission power level3058, service level to power level control parameter mapping information3060, and timing frequency structure information 3070. In someembodiments data/information 3020 includes one or more of identifiedservice level 3052, retrieved control parameter 3048 and decoded controlparameter 3050.

Retrieved control parameter 3048 is an output of retrieval module 3030and corresponds to one of the control parameter values (controlparameter value 1 3066, . . . , control parameter value M 3068) ofservice level to power control parameter mapping information 3060.Decoded control parameter 3050 is an output of control parameterrecovery module 3032 and represents information recovered from areceived base station signal. In some embodiments, the received basestation signal from which the information is recovered Is the same basestation signal which is power measured, e.g., received base stationsignal 1 3044. In some embodiments, the recovered control value is aninterference level indicator value.

Identified service level 3052 is an output of service levelidentification module 3034, and is used as input to retrieval module3030. The identified service level 3052 is used to select acorresponding control parameter value. For example, if identifiedservice level 3052 indicates service level M 3064, then retrieval module3030 retrieves control parameter value M 3068 which is stored inretrieved control parameter 3048.

Transmission power level control parameter 3054 is an output of powerlevel control parameter determination module 302S. Transmission powerlevel control parameter 3054 is determined as a function of one or moreof: identified service level 3052, a retrieved control parameter 3048and a decoded control parameter 3050. Transmission power level controlparameter 3054 is used as an input by peer to peer transmission powercontrol module 3036.

Determined maximum peer to peer transmission power level 3056 is anoutput of maximum peer to peer transmission power level sub-module 3038,while determined actual peer to peer transmission power level 3058 is anoutput of actual peer to peer transmission power level determinationsub-module 3040.

Service level to power level control parameter mapping information 3060includes a plurality of service levels (service level 1 3062, . . . ,service level M 3064) and a plurality of corresponding control parametervalues (control parameter value 1 3066, . . . , control parameter valueM 3068).

Timing/frequency structure information 3070, included as part ofdata/information 3020, includes uplink frequency band information 3072,e.g., WAN uplink bandwidth information, WAN uplink carrier informationand uplink WAN tone set information, downlink frequency band information3074, e.g., WAN downlink bandwidth information, WAN downlink carrierinformation and downlink WAN tone set information, and informationidentifying the location of the measured and/or decoded base stationsignals 3076. In this exemplary embodiment peer to peer communicationssignaling uses a WAN uplink frequency band being used by a base stationwith the peer to peer signals acting as interference to the WAN uplinksignals directed to the base station. A signal winch is received bywireless communications device 3000 is measured and the measurementutilized to control wireless communications device peer to peertransmission power level. This received base station signal in someembodiments, is communicated in the WAN uplink band, while in otherembodiments, the signal is communicated in the WAN downlink band. Insome embodiments a signal, which is received by wireless communicationsdevice 3000 and decoded recovering information, e.g., recovering aninterference indicator value, is also utilized to control wirelesscommunications device peer to peer transmission power level. In someembodiments the same base station signal utilized for power measurementis the decoded signal from which the information is recovered. In someother embodiments, there are two different received signals from thebase station, one signal whose received power level is measured andutilized and another signal conveying encoded power control information,e.g., an encoded interference indicator value. The base station signalfrom which information is recovered, e.g., an interference levelindicator value. In some embodiments, is communicated in the WAN uplinkband, while in other embodiments the signal is communicated in the WANdownlink band. Information 3076 identities which WAN band carries themeasured base station signal and which WAN band carries the base stationsignal used for information recovery. In some embodiments, information3076 Identifies more specific information corresponding to the signal orsignals, e.g., a point in a recurring timing structure and/or specifictone information used to identify the signal or signals.

FIG. 9 is a drawing 300 illustrating one exemplary embodiment includinga communications system 302, a table 304 describing frequency band usageinformation and a table 306 illustrating exemplary peer to peer wirelessterminal transmission power level information. Exemplary communicationssystem 302 includes a base station 308 with a corresponding cellularcoverage area represented by cell 310. The base station 308 is coupledto other network nodes, e.g., other base stations, routers, AAA nodes,home agent nodes, control nodes, etc., and/or the Internet via networklink 309, e.g., a fiber optic link. In communications system 302 thereare also a plurality of wireless terminals supporting cellularcommunications (WT 1 312, WT N 314). Cellular WTs (312, 314) are coupledto base station 308 via wireless links (316, 318), respectively.

In communications system 302 there are also a plurality of wirelessterminals supporting peer to peer communications (WT 1′, WT 2′ 328, WT3′, WT 4′ 340). WT1′ is shown at two points Is time and is representedas element 324 at time t0 and as element 326 at time t1. WT 1′ motion isindicated by arrow 334. WT3′ is shown at two points hi time and isrepresented as element 336 at time t0 and as element 338 at time t1. WT3′ motion is indicated by arrow 346. Peer to peer communications betweenWT1′ and WT2′ 328 are indicated by arrows 330 and 332. Peer to peercommunications between WT3′ and WT4′ 340 are indicated by arrows 342 and344,

The base station transmits a beacon signal 320 into the uplink band. Thebeacon signal is detected and measured by the peer to peer wirelessterminals. A power measurement of the received beacon signal is used bya peer to peer wireless terminal to determine whether the wirelessterminal is allowed to transmit peer to peer signals and to control thetransmission power level, e.g., the maximum transmission power level,when transmission is permitted. Dotted arrow circle 322 around basestation 308 indicates an exemplary peer to peer restricted region, wherea peer to peer wireless terminal is restricted from transmittingsignals. In the region close to the base station 308, transmissions frompeer to peer wireless terminals at levels utilized in the peer to peersignaling can produce too much interference from the perspective of thebase station receiver attempting to recover and decode uplink signalsfrom wireless terminals operating in a cellular mode (312, . . . 314),and thus peer to peer wireless terminal transmissions are not permitted.

Frequency band Information table 304 will now be described. First column343 indicates that frequency band A is used as cellular downlink bandfor signals transmitted from the base station intended to be received bycellular wireless terminals. Second column 350 indicates that frequencyband B is used as: (i) a cellular uplink baud for signals transmittedfrom cellular wireless terminals intended to be received by the basestations; (ii) as a band to convey a peer to peer beacon signaltransmitted by the base station and intended to be received and used bypeer to peer wireless terminals; and (iii) as a peer to peer bandintended to be used for signals transmitted from and intended to bereceived by peer to peer wireless terminals.

Peer to peer wireless terminal power information table 306 will now bedescribed. First column 352 identifies the exemplary peer to peerwireless terminals WT 1′, WT 2′, WT 3′, WT 4′) being described. Secondcolumn 354 identifies points in time, either t0 or t1. Third column 356identifies transmission power level information corresponding to thewireless terminal on the same row corresponding to fee time indicated onthe same row. The information of table 306 indicates that thetransmission power level for WT1′ increases from time t0 to time t1. Itmay be observed that WT1′ moves away from the base station 308 duringthis time and that the measured power level of beacon signal 320 fromWT1′'s perspective can be expected to decrease during this time. It mayalso be observed that WT1′ remains outside the restricted zone 322during this time. The information of table 306 also indicates that thetransmission power level for WT3′ decreases from time t1 to time t0. Itmay be observed that WT3′ moves toward the base station 308 during thistime and that the measured power level of beacon signal 320 from WT3′'sperspective can be expected to increase during this time. It may also beobserved that WT 3′ remains outside the restricted zone 322 dining thistime. The power level described in table 306 can be a maximum allowabletransmission power level for the wireless terminal. Alternatively, thepower level described in table 306 can be an actual transmission powerlevel.

In some embodiments, at least some wireless terminals support multiplemodes of operation, e.g., a peer to peer and a cellular communicationsmode of operation.

FIG. 10 is a drawing of an exemplary wireless communications system 400in accordance with various embodiments. Exemplary wirelesscommunications system 400 includes at least one base station 402, aplurality of wireless terminals supporting peer to peer communications(wireless terminal 1 404, . . . , wireless terminal N 410), a pluralityof wireless terminals supporting wide area network signaling (wirelessterminal 2 406, . . . , wireless terminal n 412), and a plurality ofwireless terminals supporting both peer to peer signaling and wide areanetwork signaling (wireless terminal 3 408, . . . , wireless terminal M414).

Base station 402 includes a peer to peer interference management module416, an interference signal measurement module 418, and a transmittermodule 420. The peer to peer interference management module 416determines a peer to peer transmission power level control value.Transmitter module 420 transmits the determined peer to peertransmission power level control value, e.g., as a communicatedindicator value. Interference signal measurement module 418 measuressignal interference during a null uplink transmission period andsupplies the measured signal interference information to the peer topeer interference management module 416.

Wireless terminal 1 404 includes a received signal power measurementmodule 422, a peer to peer signal transmission power control module 424,a difference updating module 426 and memory 428. Memory 428, in someembodiments, includes stored predetermined difference indicatorinformation 430. The stored predetermined difference indicatorinformation 430 includes a plurality of indicators which can be signaledby a base station (indicator 1 442, . . . , indicator N 444) andcorresponding difference values (difference 1 446, . . . , difference N448), respectively.

Received signal power measurement module 422 measures the power of asignal received from a base station, e.g., from base station 402. Peerto peer signal transmission power control module 424 controls a peer topeer signal transmission power level as a function of the measured powerof the signal from the base station in accordance with a first function.In various embodiments, the peer to peer signal transmission power levelis a maximum permitted peer to peer signal transmission power level.Difference updating module 426 receives a difference indicator valuefrom a base station, e.g., base station 402 and updates the firstfunction based on the received indicator value. In some embodiments, thedifference is a predetermined amount and memory 428, which storesindicators and corresponding predetermined differences, is accessed andthe accessed value used by the first function.

Wireless terminal 2 406 includes a received signal power measurementmodule 432, and a wide area network signal transmission power controlmodule 434. Received signal power measurement module 432 measures thepower level of signals received from a base station, e.g., base station402. Wide area network signal transmission power control module 434controls wide area signal transmission power level with respect towireless terminal 2 406 as a function of the measured power of a signalreceived from the base station in accordance with a second function, thesecond function being different than the first function. In someembodiments the wide area signal transmission power level is a maximumwide area signal transmission power level. In various embodiments, thesecond function, determines a higher transmission power level, than thefirst function for a given value of the measured received signal power.In some such embodiments, the difference in dBs between the transmissionpower determined by the first and second function for a given value ofthe measured received signal power is at least 10 dBs.

Wireless terminal 3 408 includes a received signal power measurementmodule 436, a peer to peer signal transmission power control module 438,and a wide area network signal transmission power control module 440.Received signal power measurement module 436 measures the power level ofa signal received from a base station. Peer to peer signal transmissionpower control module 438 controls a peer to peer signal transmissionpower level as a function of the measured power of the signal front abase station in accordance with a first function. Wide area networksignal transmission power control module 440 controls wide area signaltransmission power level as a function of the measured power of a signalfrom the base station in accordance with a second function, said secondfunction being different from said first function. In variousembodiments, the second function used by module 440 determines a highertransmission power level than the first function used by module 438 fora given value of the measured received signal power. In some suchembodiments, the difference in dBs between the transmission powerdetermined by the first and second function for a given value of themeasured received signal power is at least 10 dBs. In some embodiments,the first function used by module 438 of WT 3 408 is the same as thefirst function used by module 424 of WT 1 404. In some embodiments, thesecond function used by module 440 of WT 3 408 is the same as the secondfunction used by module 434 of WT 2 406.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart 560 of an exemplary method of operating a basestation in accordance with various embodiments. Operation of theexemplary method starts in step 502 and proceeds to step 504. In step504, the base station stores interference budget information. Operationproceeds from step 504 to steps 506 and step 508.

In step 508, which is performed on an ongoing basis, the base station isoperated to maintain synchronization with at least one adjacent basestation to maintain synchronization of uplink null time periods betweenadjacent base stations. In various embodiments, an uplink null timeperiod is a period of time in which at least a fraction of uplinkbandwidth used by the base station is Intentionally not used fortransmitting uplink signals to the base station.

Returning to step 506, in step 506, the base station measures during anuplink null time period background interference. Then, in step 510, foebase station determines a first uplink transmission power control valueas a function of the measured background interference. Step 510 includessub-step 512. In sub-step 512, the base station uses the storedinterference budget information in combination with said measuredbackground interference to generate the first uplink transmission powercontrol value. Sub-step 512 includes sub-steps 514, 516, 518, and 520.In sub-step 514, the base station determines if the measured backgroundinterference exceeds an interference budget limit indicated by thestored interference budget information. If the budget limit is exceeded,then operation proceeds from sub-step 514 to sub-step 516; otherwiseoperation proceeds from sub-step 514 to sub-step 518.

In sub-step 516, the base station modifies a previous uplinktransmission power control value, said modified transmission powercontrol value limiting peer to peer transmission power levels more thanthe previous uplink transmission power control value. Returning tosub-step 518, in sub-step 518, the base station determines if themeasured background interference is below said interference budget limitindicated by stored interference budget information, e.g., lower by atleast a predetermined threshold, value. If it is determined in sub-step518, that the measured background interference is below the interferencebudget limit such as to satisfy the test criteria, then operationproceeds from sub-step 518 to sub-step 520. In sub-step 520, the basestation modifies the previous uplink transmission power control value,said modified transmission power control value increasing peer to peertransmission power levels to a level higher than the levels controlledby the previous transmission power control value.

Operation proceeds from step 510 to step 522, in which the base stationtransmits said determined first uplink transmission power control value.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart 600 of as exemplary method of operating a basestation in accordance with various embodiments. Operation of theexemplary method starts in step 602 and proceeds to step 604. In step604, the base station stores interference budget information. Operationproceeds from step 604 to steps 606 and step 608.

In step 608, which is performed on an ongoing basis, the base station isoperated to maintain synchronization with at least one adjacent basestation to maintain synchronization of uplink null time periods betweenadjacent base stations. In various embodiments, an uplink null timeperiod is a period of time in which at least a fraction of uplinkbandwidth used by the base station is intentionally not used fortransmitting uplink signals to the base station.

Returning to step 606, in step 606, the base station measures during afirst uplink hull time period of time background interference. Then, instep 610, the base station determines a first uplink transmission powercontrol value as a function of the measured background interference.Operation proceeds from step 610 to step 612. In step 612, the basestation transmits said determined first uplink transmission powercontrol value. Operation proceeds from step 612 to step 614.

In step 614, the base station, measures during a second uplink null timeperiod background interference, and then in step 616, the base stationdetermines a change in the measured background interference from themeasurements corresponding to the first uplink null period and thesecond uplink null period. Operation proceeds from step 616 to step 618.

In step 618, the base station determines a second uplink transmissionpower control value as a function of the measured backgroundinterference corresponding to the second uplink null period and thedetermined change in measured background interference, and then in step620, the base station transmits the determined second uplinktransmission power control value. Operation proceeds from step 620 tostep 622.

In step 622, the base station measures, during a third uplink nullperiod, background interference, and in step 624 the base stationdetermines a change in the measured background interference from themeasurements corresponding to the second uplink null period and thethird uplink null period. Operation proceeds from step 624 to step 626,in which the base station determines a difference between the firstuplink transmission power control value and the second uplinktransmission power control value. Operation proceeds from step 626 tostep 628.

In step 628, the base station determines a third, uplink transmissionpower control value as a function of the measured backgroundinterference corresponding to the third uplink null period, thedetermined change in measured background interference between the secondand third uplink null periods, and the determined difference between thetwo previously transmitted power control values. Operation proceeds fromstep 628 to step 630, is which the base station transmits the determinedthird uplink transmission power control value.

FIG. 13 is a drawing of an exemplary base station 2800 in accordancewith various embodiments. Exemplary base station 2800 manages receptioninterference from peer to peer wireless terminals transmitting into thesame air link resources used for its wide area network uplinkcommunications. Exemplary base station 2800 determines and transmits anuplink power control signal utilized by peer to peer wireless terminalsin determining their transmission power level. In some embodiments, theuplink power control signal transmitted by the base station 2800 is alsoutilized by wireless terminals, using the base station as a point ofnetwork attachment and transmitting uplink signals to the base station,to control transmission power levels.

Exemplary base station 2800 includes a receiver module 2802, atransmitter module 2804, a processor 2806, an I/O interface 2808, and amemory 2810 coupled together via a bus 2812 over which the variouselements may interchange data and information.

Receiver module 2802, e.g., an OFDM receiver, is coupled to receiveantenna 2814 via which the base station 2800 receives uplink signalsfrom wireless terminals, e.g., wireless terminals functioning in acellular mode and using the base station 2800 as a point of networkattachment. Receiver module 2802 also receives interference from, peerto peer communications devices operating in the local vicinity. In someembodiments, receiver module 2802 also receives interference from uplinksignaling from cellular devices in adjacent cells.

Transmitter module 2804, e.g., an OFDM transmitter, is coupled totransmit antenna 2816, via which the base station 2800 transmitsdownlink signals to wireless terminals using base station 2800 as apoint of network attachment. Transmitter module 2804 also transmitsuplink transmission power control value signals to be used by peer topeer wireless terminals to control their transmission power level, thepeer to peer wireless terminals using the base station's uplink band forpeer to peer signaling and thus producing interference from theperspective of the base station receiver module 2802.

Memory 2810 includes routines 2818 and data/information 2820. Theprocessor 2806, e.g., a CPU, executes the routines 2818 and uses thedata/information 2820 in memory 2810 to control the operation of thebase station 2800 and implement methods. Routines 2818 include acommunications routine 2822, an interference measurement module 2824, awireless terminal power control module 2826, and a wireless terminalpower control signal transmission module 2830. In some embodiments,routines 2818 include one or more of wide area network synchronizationmodule 2828 and interference type separation module 2832.

Communications routine 2822 implements various communications protocolsused by the base station 2800. Interference measurement module 2824measures during uplink null time periods background interference.Wireless terminal power control module 2826 determines uplinktransmission power control values as a function of measured backgroundinterference. In various embodiments, the wireless terminal powercontrol module 2826 determines an uplink power control value usingstored interference budget information in combination with the measuredbackground interference to generate the uplink transmission, powercontrol value. Wireless terminal power control signal transmissioncontrol module 2830 controls the transmitter module 2804 to transmit agenerated uplink transmission power control signal, e.g., first uplinktransmission power control value 2850. In some embodiments, the controlmodule 2830 controls the transmitter module 2804 to transmit a generateduplink transmission power control value in accordance with a recurringschedule. In some embodiments, the control module 2830 controlstransmission as a function of interference level information. In someembodiments, wireless terminal power control module 2826 determines anuplink transmission power control value as a function of the measuredbackground interference and a change in the measured backgroundinterference from a previous measurement In some embodiments, thewireless terminal power control module 2826 determines an uplinktransmission power control value as a function of the difference betweentwo previously transmitted power control values.

In some embodiments, the wireless terminal power control module 2826determines an uplink transmission power control value by operationsincluding modifying a previous uplink transmission power control valuewhen the measured background interference exceeds an interference budgetlimit indicated by the stored interference budget information, themodified transmission power control value limiting peer to peertransmission power levels more than the previous uplink transmissionpower control value. In some embodiments, the wireless terminal powercontrol module 2826 determines an uplink transmission power controlvalue by operations including modifying a previous uplink transmissionpower control value when the measured background interference is belowan interference budget limit Indicated by the stored interference budgetinformation, the modified transmission power control value increasingpeer to peer transmission power levels more than the previous uplinktransmission power control value. In various embodiments, the changingto a higher level is performed when said measured interference is belowsaid interference budget limit by at least a predetermined threshold.

Thus the value of the uplink transmission power control value is used bybase station 2800 to regulate the transmission power level of peer topeer communications, thereby impacting interference to uplink signalsbeing directed to base station 2800.

Wide area network synchronization module 2828 is used for maintainingsynchronization with at least one adjacent base station to maintainsynchronization of uplink null time periods between adjacent basestations.

Interference type separation module 2832 is used to obtain an estimateof the amount of uplink interference contribution sourced from peer topeer communications. In some embodiments, the interference typeseparation module 2832 intentionally inputs a controlled change level inthe uplink transmission power control value and calculates an observedeffect in the interference measurement during a subsequent uplink nullperiod as part of separating the peer to peer interference from otherinterference sources, e.g., cellular communications devices transmittinguplink signals In an adjacent cell which is not synchronized withrespect to base station 2800.

Data/information 2820 includes time/frequency structure information2834, stored interference budget information 2840, a plurality of setsof interference measurement information (uplink interference measurementinformation 1 2846, . . . , uplink interference measurement informationN 2848), and a plurality of generated uplink transmission power controlvalues (first uplink transmission power control value 2850, . . . , Mthuplink transmission power control value 2852).

Timing/frequency structure information 2834 includes recurring timestructure information 2836. The recurring time structure information2836 includes information Identifying uplink null time periods 2838. Insome embodiments, an uplink null time period corresponds to a period oftime in which at least a fraction of uplink bandwidth used by said basestation is intentionally not used for transmitting uplink signals to thebase station. In some embodiments, an uplink null time period is a timeperiod during which wireless terminals, e.g., cellular communicationsdevices, using the base station 2800 attachment point intentionallyrefrain from sending uplink signals to the base station 2800. Duringthis time period peer to peer wireless terminal signaling continuesusing the uplink frequency band. Thus, the base station 2800 can measurebackground interference during this period. If adjacent base stationsare synchronized such that uplink null periods are concurrent, then themeasured noise during these periods can be associated with peer to peersignaling. However, if adjacent base stations are not synchronized, andthe same uplink band is used, then the measured interference during suchan uplink null period includes interference from both peer to peerwireless terminals and cellular communications devices corresponding toadjacent base stations.

Stored interference budget Information 2840 includes backgroundinterference limit information 2842 and threshold information 2844,

FIG. 14 is a drawing 900 including an exemplary communications system902 and a frequency band usage table 904 in accordance with variousembodiments. In the exemplary communications system 900 a wide areanetwork shares bandwidth with peer to peer communications. In variousembodiments, the wide area network corresponds to a deployed system andthe peer to peer capabilities involve add on and/or upgrade features. Insome embodiments, the exemplary communications system 902 is initiallydeployed Including both WAN and peer to peer capabilities. Frequencyband usage table 904 indicates two types of embodiments which cancorrespond to exemplary system 902. In the first type of embodiment,type A embodiments, the wide area network uses frequency division duplex(FDD) and the wide area, frequency division duplex uplink band sharesbandwidth with peer to peer communications activities. In the secondtype of embodiment, type B embodiments, the wide area network uses timedivision duplex (TDD) of the same hand for uplink and downlink, and thewide area band shares an uplink time slot with peer to peercommunications activities. Thus, in both types of embodiments, uplinksignaling from the wide area network communications devices caninterfere with reception of peer to peer communications signals by apeer to peer communications device, and the peer to peercommunications-signals directed between peer to peer communicationsdevices can interfere with the reception of wide area network uplinksignals at the base station.

Exemplary communications system 902 includes a base station 906, a widearea network wireless terminal 908, e.g., a cellular mobile node, afirst peer to peer wireless terminal 910, and a second peer to peerwireless terminal 912. For the purposes of illustration consider thatwide area network wireless terminal 908 transmits uplink signal 914 tobase station 906. Base station 906 receives this signal and measures thereceived signal as P_(C1). The signal 914 from the perspective of peerto peer wireless terminal 2 912 is viewed as interference 916 from thewide area network wireless terminal 908. Now consider that the firstpeer to peer wireless terminal 910 transmits peer to peer signal 918 topeer to peer wireless terminal 2 912. The signal 918 from theperspective of base station 906 is viewed as interference 920 from firstpeer to peer wireless terminal 910. Base station 906 receives thisinterference and measures the received signal as P_(P1).

In accordance with various embodiments, priority is given to the widearea system, and interference is managed at the base station. Forexample, a power control value α is chosen to achieve a goal such as(P_(P1)/P_(C1))≦α. In some such embodiments α is a value such as −10 dB,−20 dB, or −30 dBs. Although described in the example, with respect toone peer to peer wireless terminal causing interference with respect tobase station reception corresponding to one wide area network's wirelessterminal uplink signaling, it is to be understood that there may be, andsometimes are, a plurality of peer to peer wireless terminalstransmitting and contributing to the interference, and there may be, andsometimes are, a plurality of wide area network wireless terminalstransmitting uplink signals to the base station, which the base stationis attempting to recover. Thus, the control factor α, determined by thebase station to manage interference can be, and sometimes is, dependentupon multiple users. In some embodiments, the control factor a dependson the number of users, e.g., the number of active wide area networkusers and/or the number of active peer to peer users.

FIG. 15 is a drawing 1002 illustrating a feature of various embodiments,in which a wide area network has a silent period in which fee basestation monitors for and measures peer to peer noise. Exemplary drawing1002 includes a base station 1004 having a corresponding cellularcoverage area 1006. In some embodiments the cellular coverage area has aradius of at least 1 kilometer. Within the cell, there is a plurality ofwireless terminals functioning in a cellular mode of operation (WT A1008, WT B 1010, WT C 1012, WT D 1014). These wireless terminals (1008,1010, 1012, 1014) receive downlink signals from base station 1004 andtransmit uplink signals to base station 1004. However, this point intime corresponds to an intentional wide area network uplink silentperiod where the wide area network wireless terminals (1008, 1010, 3012,1014) do not transmit any uplink signals.

The cell 1006 also includes a plurality of wireless terminalsfunctioning in the peer to peer mode of operation (WT 1 1016, WT 2 1018,WT 3 1020, WT 4 1022). Peer to peer communications are not restrictedduring this time period. Peer to peer WT 1 1016 happens to betransmitting a peer to peer signal 1024 to peer to peer wirelessterminal 2 1018. This transmitted peer to peer signal 1024 is viewed aspeer to peer noise interference signal 1026 from the perspective of thereceiver in base station 1004. Peer to peer WT 3 1020 happens to betransmitting a peer to peer signal 1028 to peer to peer wirelessterminal 4 1022. This transmitted peer to peer signal 1028 is viewed aspeer to peer noise interference signal 1030 from fee perspective of thereceiver in base station 1004.

FIG. 16 is a drawing 1102 illustrating several features of variousembodiments, and is a continuation of the example of FIG. 15. The basestation 1004 determines a power control value a as a function of themeasured peer to peer Interference. The base station then broadcaststhis control value α via signal 1104 to be used by the wirelessterminals. In this exemplary embodiment, the base station broadcasts asingle value for control value α; however, the value can be, andsometimes is, used differently by the different wireless communicationsdevices receiving the broadcast signal 1104. In this example, the set ofwireless terminals operating in the cellular mode (WT A 1008, WT B 1010,WT C 1012, WT D 1014) uses a first power control function, f₁(α) 1106,to determine a transmission power level control parameter; while the setof wireless terminals operating In the peer to peer mode (WT 1 1016, WT2 1018, WT 3 1020, WT 4 1022) use a second power control function, f₂(α)1108, to determine a transmission power control parameter,

FIG. 17 is a drawing of an exemplary look-up table for control values1200 illustrating a feature of various embodiments. In some embodiments,a wireless terminal receives a broadcast power control value from a basestation and determines its own power control value to use as a functionof the received value and a corresponding service level. Differentservice levels may, and sometimes do, correspond to different traffictypes, different types of services, and/or to different users of thesendee, and map to different service levels. For example, exemplarydifferent priorities, in some embodiments, are associated with differenttraffic types, e.g., voice, latency critical data, and best effort typedata. Exemplary different types of service include, e.g., emergencycommunications services and ordinary communications. Different types ofusers include, e.g., high priority users such as police, fire, emergenceservices, medium priority users having subscribed to a high servicelevel plan, and low priority users having subscribed to a low servicelevel, plan. Thus in some embodiments, a recovered power control valueis modified as a function of priority level.

In exemplary table 1200, first column 1202 indicates exemplary receivedcontrol values α, second column 1204 indicates exemplary correspondingservice level 1 control values α₁, third column 1206 indicates exemplarycorresponding service level 2 control values α₂, and fourth column 1208indicates exemplary corresponding service level 3 control values α₃.First row 1210 indicates that if a wireless terminal using look-up table1200 receives a broadcast power control value from a base station whichindicates −10 dB and its corresponding service level is (service level1, service level 2, service level 3), then it uses (40 dB, −15 dB, −20dB), respectively, for its power control value. Second row 1212indicates that if a wireless terminal using look-up table 1200 receivesa broadcast power control value from a base station which indicates −20dB and its corresponding service level is (service level 1, servicelevel 2, service level 3), then it uses (−20 dB, −25 dB, −30 dB),respectively, for its power control value. Third row 1214 indicates thatif a wireless terminal using look-up table 1200 receives a broadcastpower control value from a base station which indicates −30 dB and itscorresponding service level is (service level 1, service level 2,service level 3), then it uses (−30 dB, −35 dB, −40 dB), respectively,for its power control value.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart 1300 of an exemplary method of operating a basestation in accordance with various embodiments, e.g., a base station inwhich its uplink bandwidth is also utilized for peer to peer signaling.The base station is, e.g., a base station, operating as part of acellular communications system in which operations are synchronizedbetween adjacent base stations. Synchronization between adjacent basestations facilitates the implementation of universal uplink nullperiods, in which wide area network wireless terminal cell uplinksignaling can be controlled to universally stop. These null periods areutilized for the measurement of background interference. In such anembodiment, the background interference W can be approximated byW=thermal noise+peer to peer noise. The base station desires to controlinterference, and determines and broadcasts a power control factor α, tobe received by the wireless terminals in its vicinity.

Operation starts in step 1302, where the base station is powered on andinitialized. In some embodiments, the initialization includes the use ofa default value for power control factor α, which is broadcast to thewireless terminals. Operation proceeds from start step 1302 to step1304. In step 1304, the base station measures background interference,W, during a null interval, e.g., an uplink null interval in which WANwireless terminals are controlled to refrain from signaling.

Operation proceeds from step 1304 to step 1306. In step 1306, the basestation determines a power control factor α as a function of themeasured background interference. In various embodiments, the functionused is such that as W increases, α increases for at least some non-nullrange of W. In some embodiments, the determination of step 1306 includesa comparison with stored interference budget information. Operationproceeds from step 1306 to step 1308.

In step 1308, the base station broadcasts the determined power controlfactor α. Operation proceeds from step 1308 to step 1304, where anothermeasurement of background interference is performed.

In some embodiments, multiple measurements of background interferenceare performed and used corresponding to multiple null intervals ingenerating a determined power control factor which is broadcast. Thus insome embodiments, the base station performs a set of backgroundmeasurements, e.g., multiple iterations of step 1304, corresponding to aset of null intervals before broadcasting a determined power controlfactor in step 1308.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart 1400 of an exemplary method of operating a basestation in accordance with various embodiments, e.g., a base station inwhich its uplink bandwidth is also utilized for peer to peer signaling.The base station is, e.g., a base station, operating as part of acellular communications system in which operations are not synchronizedbetween adjacent base stations. In the uplink timing structure used bythe base station uplink null periods are utilized by the base station tomeasure background interference. However, since operations isneighboring cells are not synchronized, the interference levels from theneighboring cells may vary over time making it more difficult to extractthe peer to peer component of background interference, than would becase if the adjacent base stations were synchronized and were alsocontrolled to have intentional uplink nulls occurring concurrently. Thebase station desires to control interference, and determines andbroadcasts a power control factor α, to be received by the wirelessterminals in its vicinity. In accordance with a feature of thisembodiment, the base station intentionally varies the broadcast powercontrol factor which it broadcasts, as a controlled input, in order tomeasure response.

Operation starts in step 1402, where the base station is powered on andinitialized, and-proceeds to step 1404. In step 1404, the base stationbroadcasts a power control factor α₁. At this point α₁ is a defaultvalue obtained from initialization. Then, in step 1406, the base stationmeasures background interference W₁ during a null interval, e.g., anuplink WAN null interval in which wireless communications devices usingthe base station are intentionally restricted from transmitting uplinksignals. Operation proceeds from step 1406 to step 1408.

In step 1408, the base station adjusts the power control factor todetermine a second power control factor αhd 2. For example, α₂=α₁+Δα,where Δα is a non-zero value and can be positive or negative. TypicallyΔα has a magnitude which is a small fraction of the magnitude of α₁,e.g., less than or equal to 25% of α₁. Operation proceeds from step.1408 to step 1410, in which the base station transmits the new powercontrol factor α₂. Operation proceeds from step 1410 to step 1412.

In step 1412, the base station measures background interference W₂during a null interval. Operation proceeds from step 1412 to step 1414.In step 1414, the base station determines power control factor α₃ as afunction of the change in the measured background interference and thechange in the power control factors which were transmitted. For exampleas is determined as a function of αW and Δα, where ΔW =W₂−W₁. In oneexemplary embodiment, α₃ is one of: α₃=α₂+Δα and α₃=α₁−Δα. Operationproceeds from step 1414 to step 1416, where the base station sets α₁=α₃.Then operation proceeds to step 1404, where the base station broadcaststhe power control factor α₁.

FIG. 20 is a drawing of a plot 1500 of noise W on vertical axis 1502 vsα on horizontal axis 1504. Noise W, which represents receive noise at abase station attempting to recover uplink signals, includes peer to peernoise and other cell interference. The variable α is a power controlfactor. Curve 1506 is a characteristic curve of W vs α corresponding toother cell interference level 1508. During an intentional uplink nulltime interval corresponding to a first base station, the first basestation intentionally controls wireless terminals using it as a point ofnetwork attachment to refrain from uplink signaling. During thisintentional uplink null time interval, peer to peer activity within thecell is allowed to continue. Thus the peer to peer activity is treatedby the first base station receiver as noise and contributes to themeasured noise W.

Now consider that an adjacent base station is operating asynchronouslywith respect to the first base station. Since the adjacent base stationis asynchronous with respect to the first base station, intentionaluplink null time intervals of the adjacent base station do not necessaryoverlap intentional null, time intervals of the first base station. Thusuplink signaling of the adjacent base station also contributes to themeasured noise W measured by the first base station during intentionaluplink null periods of the first base station.

Characteristic W vs α curve 1506 corresponds to a given level of othercell interference 1508, which represents a minimum level ofinterference. If operating on a point of the curve 1506 near saturation,then increases in α do not give significant improvement in reduction innoise W. An increase in α corresponds to a limiting of transmissionpower for peer to peer signaling. Thus, under such conditions,additionally restricting peer to peer transmission power levels does notsignificantly improve reception of the uplink signals from cellularwireless terminals. However; if operating on a point of curve 1506having a high value for slope, a small increase in α can give asignificant change decrease in the level of noise W. Under suchconditions, at times, it may be beneficial to decrease α such as toimprove recovery of the uplink signals from cell based wirelessterminals. For example, a small throttling back of peer to peertransmission power levels, can, under such conditions, result in asignificant improvement in uplink signaling recover and/or throughput.

In general, in various embodiments, good wide area, e.g., cellular,based communications reception is given priority to the peer to peersignaling. However, it is desirable, that the peer to peercommunications throughput be maximized given a particular level ofdesired cell based uplink reception quality. It may be observed that Wvs α characteristic curve will change as a function of the other cellinterference. The other cell, interference may, and sometimes does,change independently of the first cell operation. For example, due to:conditions, the number of cellular based wireless terminal users in theadjacent cell, adjacent cell uplink traffic load, etc., the other cellinterference experienced by the first base station may change to adifferent level. Plot 1600 of FIG. 21 illustrates a different level ofother cell interference 1608 as compared to other cell interferencelevel 1508 of FIG. 20. In addition FIG. 21 illustrates a differentcharacteristic curve 1606 as compared to characteristic curve 1506.

FIG. 22. illustrates an exemplary method of adjusting the selection ofpower control factor α used in various embodiments in response to noisemeasurements. FIG. 22 is a plot 1700 of noise W on vertical axis 1502 vsα on horizontal axis 1504 corresponding to characteristic curve 1506. Atthe time of operation, the first base station may be unaware that thefirst base station is operating on characteristic carve 1506corresponding to other cell interference level 1508 of FIG. 20, withcurve 1506 being one of a family of curves including curve 1506 andcurve 1606 of FIG. 21.

The first base statics sets a to an initial value α₁ 1702, which isbroadcast. The value α₁ 1702 is used by the peer to peer wirelessterminals in the first base station's cell to control their peer to peertransmission power. During an intentional uplink null period of thefirst base station, the first-base station measures, the receive noiselevel W as W₁ 1706. Then, the first base station intentionally changesthe value of α₁ by an amount Δα 1708, to obtain α₂ 1710. This representsa controlled input used to intentionally drive the receive noise levelto a different point (from 1704 to 1712) on the characteristic curve1506. The first base station broadcasts the parameter α₂ 1710. The valueα₂ 1720 is used by the peer to peer wireless terminals in the first basestation's cell to control their peer to peer transmission power. Duringan intentional uplink null period of the first base station, the firstbase station measures the receive noise level W as W₂ 1714. Tire firstbase station measures the change in W, ΔW 1716. The first base stationthen decides upon a new value for α as a function of the input drivingvalue Δα, the measured response ΔW, and some stored interference budgetinformation. In some embodiments, the first base station decides uponthe new value for α as a function of at least one noise measurementpoint, e.g., W₁ or W₂. In this example, the first base station sets thenew value for α, α₃ to α₃=α₁−Δα if ΔW is small as indicated by point1718; while, the first base station sets the new value for α, α₃ to α₃=α₂+Δα if ΔW is large as indicated by point 1720, e.g., with the smalland large determination being with respect to predetermined storedinterference budget information. The power control factor α₃ is thenbroadcast by the first base station to be used by the peer to peerwireless terminals in the cell to control their transmission powerlevels.

FIG. 23 is a drawing 1800 illustrating exemplary bandwidth usage in someembodiments utilizing a time division duplex (TDD) for the wide areanetwork, e.g., for the cellular communications. With respect to the widearea network, e.g., corresponding to a base station, the same frequencyhand is shared, e.g., in an alternating pattern between uplink anddownlink. For example, the TDD band used for the wide area, e.g.,cellular communications, is used for (uplink, downlink, uplink,downlink) as indicated by blocks (1804, 1806, 1808, 1810), respectively,along time line 1802. In addition to typical cellular based activities,the base station transmits a peer to peer broadcast signals), e.g., abeacon signal and/or other broadcast signals, during an intervaltypically reserved for wide area uplink signaling. This is representedby signals (1812, 1814) corresponding to time intervals for blocks(1804, 1808), respectively. In addition, time intervals designated to beused for wide area network, e.g., cellular uplink, are also used forpeer to peer signaling, with the same TDD band being used, as indicatedby cellular uplink blocks (1804, 1808) being concurrent with peer topeer blocks (1816, 1818), respectively.

FIG. 24 is a drawing 1900 illustrating exemplary bandwidth usage in someembodiments utilizing a frequency division duplex (FDD) for the widearea network, e.g., for the cellular communications. With respect to thewide area network, e.g., corresponding to a base station, differentfrequency bands are used by the uplink and downlink. In this exemplaryembodiment, the FDD wide area uplink band is represented by block 1904and the FDD wide area downlink baud is represented by block 1906 alongfrequency axis 1902. In some embodiments, the uplink and downlink bandsare adjacent. In some embodiments, the uplink and/or downlink bandsinclude non-contiguous portions. In some embodiments, at least a portionof one of the uplink and downlink bands is included between twodifferent portions of the other one of the uplink and downlink bands.

In addition to the typical cellular based uplink signaling in the FDDwide area uplink band, the band is used for other activities related topeer to peer signaling. In FIG. 24, the FDD wide area uplink band 1904is also used by the base station to transmit peer-peer broadcastsignals) 1908, e.g., a beacon signal and/or other broadcast signals aretransmitted by the base station to be used by peer to peer wirelessterminals. Peer to peer wireless terminals also use the same band forpeer to peer signaling as indicated by block 1910 located on frequencyaxis 1902 corresponding to FDD wide area uplink band 1904.

FIG. 25 is a drawing of an exemplary multi-mode wireless communicationsdevice 2000 implemented in accordance with various embodiments.Multi-mode wireless communications device 2000 supports both wide areanetwork communications and peer to peer communications. In someembodiments, the communications device 2000 uses frequency divisionduplex for the wide area network communications and time division duplexfor the peer to peer communications. In some such embodiments, thefrequency band used for the peer to peer communications is the samefrequency band as used for the uplink WAN communications. Wirelesscommunications device 2000 includes a wireless transceiver module 2002,user I/O devices 2004, a processor 2006, and memory 2008 coupledtogether via a bus 2010 over which the various elements may exchangedata and information.

User I/O devices 2004 include, e.g., microphone, keyboard, keypad,camera, switches, mouse, speaker, display. User I/O devices 2004 allow auser of wireless communications device 2000 to input data/information,access output data/information, and control at least some functions ofthe communications device 2000, e.g., set the communications device in aWAN mode of operation, set the communications device in a peer to peermode of operation, set the communications device in a mode of operationallowing both WAN communications and peer to peer communications, etc.In some embodiments, in which the user chooses peer to peercommunications, the communications device automatically switches on arecurring basis into a WAN mode of operation to be able to monitor forWAN paging signals being communicated. In some embodiments in which theuses sets the communications device in a mode of operation supportingboth WAN signaling and peer to peer signaling, the communications deviceautomatically switches between modes as a function of at least one ofreception priority considerations and handoff considerations.

Memory 2008 includes routines 2050 and data/information 2052. Theprocessor 2006, e.g., a CPU, executes the routines 2050 and uses thedata/information 2052 in memory 2008 to control the operation of thewireless communications device 2000 and implement methods.

Wireless transceiver module 2002 includes a duplexer module 2024, atransmitter chain 2001, a 1^(st) receiver chain 2003, a 2^(nd) receiverchain 2005, a switch 2032, an analog to digital converter (ADC) 2034 anda digital signal processor (DSP) 2016. DSP 2016 includes a digitaltransmit signal module 2042, a mode control module 2044, and a digitalreceive signal module 2046. Transmitter chain 2001 is used forgenerating transmission signals having a first RF frequency, e.g., thefrequency represented by f_(UL). First receiver chain 2003 is forprocessing received signals having a second RF frequency, e.g., thefrequency represented by f_(DL). Second receiver chain 2005 is forprocessing received signals having the first RF frequency, e.g., tirefrequency represent by f_(UL) 2026.

Transmitter chain 2001 includes a digital to analog converter (DAC)2018, a mixer 2020, and a power amplifier (PA) 2022. The digitaltransmit signal module 2042 outputs a digital signal to DAC 2018 whichconverts the digital signal to an analog signal. The analog signal isinput to mixer 2020 which also has input 2026 which is the uplinkfrequency (f_(UL)), e.g., the wide area network uplink communicationsband carrier frequency. The output of the mixer 2020 is input to poweramplifier 2022, which amplifies the received signal and outputs theamplified signal to duplexer module 2024. The duplexer module 2024couples the received amplified signal to be transmitted to antenna 2012,via which the communications device 2000 transmits signals. Transmittedsignals include uplink signals when the wireless communications device2000 is operating in a WAN mode of operation and include peer to peersignals when the communications device is operating in a peer to peermode of operation.

The first receiver chain 2003 includes a first bandpass filter (BPF₁2028) and a mixer 2030; the second receiver chain 2005 includes a secondbandpass filter (BPF₂ 2038) and a mixer 2040. When the wirelesscommunications device 2000 is to he operated to receive WAN signals,mode control module 2044 controls switch 2032 to couple the output ofthe 1^(st) receiver chain 2030 to the ADC 2034. Alternatively, when thewireless communications device is to be operated to receive peer to peersignals, mode control module 2044 controls switch 2032 to couple theoutput of the 2^(nd) receiver chain 2005 to the ADC 2034.

Assume that the switch 2032 has been controlled by mode control module2044 to couple the 1^(st) receiver chain 2003 to ADC 2034. Downlinksignals from a base station are received via antenna 2012 and coupled,via duplexer module 2024, to BPF₁ 2028. The output of the band passfilter 1 2028 is input to mixer 2030. Another input to mixer 2030 isdownlink frequency (f_(DL)) 2036, e.g., the wide area network downlinkcommunications baud carrier frequency. The mixer module 2030 removes thecarrier frequency, e.g., obtaining an analog baseband signal. The outputsignal, e.g., the analog baseband signal is fed to the ADC converter2034 via switch 2032. The ADC converter 2034 processes the input signalobtaining a digital signal representation, which is fed to the digitalreceive signal module 2046.

Now assume that the switch 2032 has been controlled by mode controlmodule 2044 to couple the 2^(nd) receiver chain 2003 to ADC 2034. Peerto peer signals from a wireless communications device operating in apeer to peer mode are received via antenna 2014 and coupled to BPF₂2038. The output of the baud pass filter 2 2038 is input to mixer 2040.Another input to mixer 2040 is uplink frequency (f_(UL)) 2026, e.g., thewide area network uplink communications band carrier frequency which isalso being utilized for peer to peer signaling. The mixer module 2040removes the carrier frequency, e.g., obtaining an analog basebandsignal. The output signal, e.g., the analog baseband signal is fed tothe ADC converter 2034 via switch 2032. The ADC converter 2034 processesthe input signal obtaining a digital signal representation, which is fedto fee digital receive signal module 2046.

Mode control module 2044 switches between use of first and secondreceiver chains (2003, 2005) as a function of which one of a first andsecond mode of operation the mode control module 2044 selects to be usedat a given time. In various embodiments, the first mode of operation isa frequency division duplex mode of operation, e.g., a wide area networkFDD mode of operation, and the second mode of operation is a peer topeer communications mode of operation, e.g., a time division duplex(TDD) peer to peer mode of operation.

In some embodiments, the mode control module 2044 automatically controlsswitching as a function of a wide area network reception scheduleimplemented by the communications device 2000. Is some such embodiments,the scheduling information indicates when wide area network pagingmessages may be received by the multi-mode communications device 2000,said mode control module 2044 controlling said device 2000 to operate inthe first mode of operation, e.g., the WAN mode of operation, duringtime periods in which the wide area network paging messages may bereceived by the multi-mode communications device 2000. In someembodiments, the mode control module 2044 causes the device 2000 toswitch modes in response to a received user input selection. In someembodiments, mode control module 2044 causes the device 2000 to switchmodes in response to reception priority information. In variousembodiments, the mode control module 2044 causes the device 2000 toswitch modes in response to a handoff indicator signal. In someembodiments, the mode control module 2044 causes the device 2000 toswitch modes in response to schedule information, e.g., peer to peercommunications are restricted during certain times of anticipated highWAN signaling to reduce interference. In some embodiments, the modecontrol module 2044 causes the device 2000 to switch modes in responseto location information, e.g., some locations may be located outside acellular coverage area or other locations may be too close to a basestation to permit peer to peer signaling in the uplink frequency banddue to interference considerations at the base station receiver or aservice provider does not have authorization to use one of WAN signalingor peer to peer signaling in a particular region. In some embodiments,the mode control module 2044 causes the device 2000 to switch modes inresponse to detected channel quality changes on a link being maintained.

Routines 2050 include a communications routine 2054 and wirelessterminal control routines 2056. The communications routine 2054Implements various communications protocols used by the wirelesscommunications device 2000. Wireless terminal control routines 2056include an I/O module 2058, a frequency band module 2060, a pagingmodule 2062, a wide area network control module 2064, a peer to peercontrol module 2066, a reception priority module 2068, and a handoffmodule 2070, Data/information 2052 includes schedule information 2072,user mode choice information 2074, wide area network signals 2076, peerto peer signals 2078, handoff indicator signals 2080, and informationidentifying the current mode 2082.

I/O module 2058 controls operation of user I/O devices 2004 and receivesuser mode choice information 2074, e.g., a user choice to use WANsignaling, a user choice to enable peer to peer signaling, a user choiceto place the device in a mode which automatically switches between WANand peer to peer operations as a function of reception priorityinformation and/or handoff information.

Frequency hand module 2060 selects and sets the frequency input signalsf_(UL) 2026 used by transmitter chain 2001 and 2^(nd) receiver chain2005 and sets f_(DL) 2036 used by 1^(st) receiver chain 2003.

Paging module 2062 controls operations related to paging. In someembodiments, when peer to peer operations are enabled and the wirelesscommunications device 2000 is operating primarily using peer to peersignaling, the communications device 2000 is switched to receive WANpaging signals during WAN paging intervals in a recurring schedule.

WAN control module 2064 controls operations when in the WAN mode, e.g.,controlling digital transmit signal module 2042 to generate uplinksignals to be communicated to a base station serving as a point ofnetwork attachment and controlling digital receive signal module 2046 toprocess received downlink signals from a base station.

Peer to peer control module 2066 controls operations when in the peer topeer mode, e.g., controlling the digital transmit signal module togenerate peer to peer signals to be transmitted to outer wirelessterminals operating in a peer to peer mode and controlling the digitalreceive signal module 2046 to process received peer to peer signals fromother wireless terminals operating in a peer to peer mode of operation.

Reception priority module 2068 determines whether WAN networkcommunications are to have priority or whether peer to peer signaling isto have priority at a given time. Determinations by module 2068 are usedby mode control module 2044, which controls switching between alternatereceiver chains (2003, 2005) to implement WAN communications or peer topeer communications, respectively. Thus mode control module 2044,switches between a WAN mode and a peer to peer mode as a function ofreception priority information. For example, in some embodiments,priority is usually given to WAN signaling over peer to peer signaling;however, for at least some types of users and/or some types of signalingpriority is given to peer to peer signaling over wide area networksignaling, e.g., users and/or signals corresponding to emergencyservices. As another example, priority is given based on evaluatingcompeting latency considerations and/or service levels.

Handoff module 2070 determines whether peer to peer signaling or WANsignaling is to be used for a portion of a handoff. Handoff module 2070generates handoff indicator signals 2080, which mode control module 2044is responsive to, causing mode switches. Some handoff control signals2080 indicate a handoff from a peer to peer communications link to awide area network communications link to cause a switch from a peer topeer mode of operation to a wide area network mode of operation. Otherhandoff control signals 2080 indicate a handoff from a wide area networkcommunications link to a peer to peer communications link to cause aswitch from a wide area network mode of operation to a peer to peer modeof operation.

Schedule information 2072 Includes WAN schedule information 2084 andpeer to peer schedule information 2086. WAN schedule information 2084includes information defining an uplink timing/frequency structure andinformation defining a downlink timing/frequency structure. The WANscheduling information 2084 includes information identifying WAN pagingintervals. In some embodiments, peer to peer operations are suspendedduring at least some WAN paging intervals to support WAN paging accessof wireless communications devices. Peer to peer schedule information2086 includes information identifying different peer to peer intervalsin a recurring peer to peer timing structure, e.g., peer discoveryintervals, peer to peer paging intervals, and traffic intervals.

User mode choice information 2074 includes information from I/O module2058 identifying a user commanded or requested mode preference, e.g., awide area network mode, a peer to peer mode, or a mode which allows thecommunications device 2000 to automatically alternate between WAN modeand peer to peer mode, e.g., as a function of signal quality, priority,loading and/or handoff information.

WAN signals include received downlink signals and uplink signals to betransmitted. Received downlink signals from a base station include,e.g., beacon signals, pilot channel signals, synchronization signals,power control signals, timing control signals, paging signals,assignment signals, and traffic channel signals. Uplink signals include,e.g., access signals, timing control signals, dedicated control channelsignals including air link resource request signals and channelcondition reports, page request signals and uplink traffic channelsignals.

Peer to peer signals include peer to peer transmit signals and peer topeer receive signals. Exemplary peer to peer transmit signals include,e.g., a user beacon signal identifying communications device 2000, apeer to peer paging signal, a peer to peer traffic request signal, and apeer to peer traffic signal. Exemplary peer to peer receive signalsinclude, e.g., user beacons from other wireless communications devicesin the local vicinity, peer to peer paging signals, peer to peer trafficrequest signals, and peer to peer traffic signals.

Handoff indicator signals 2080 are output from handoff module 2070 andused by mode control module 2044. Current mode information 2082indicates the current mode set by mode control module 2044 correspondingto mode control signal 2048.

In some embodiments, the same antenna is used irrespective of whetherfirst receiver chain 2003 or second receiver chain 2005 is being used.In some embodiments, an additional switch is used to couple one of firstreceiver chain 2003 and second receiver chain 2005 to duplexer module2024, the operation of the additional switch being coordinated with theoperation of switch 2032.

In various embodiments, duplexer module 2024 is not used and a separateantenna is used for the transmitter and the receiver. In someembodiments, an additional switch is used to couple one of firstreceiver chain 2003 and second receiver chain 2005 to the receiveantenna, the operation of the additional switch being coordinated withthe operation of switch 2032.

In some embodiments, the first and second band pass filters aredifferent hardware devices. In some embodiments, the first and secondband pass filters are programmable and are programmed to implementdifferent filters.

In another embodiment, a single mixer is used in place of mixers (2030,2040) with the frequency input being controllably switched betweenf_(DL) and f_(UL) as a function of the mode control signal and the bandpass filter being switched as a function of the mode control signal.

In some embodiments, various elements included in DSP 2016, e.g., modecontrol module 2044, are included in routines 2050. In some embodiments,various elements included in memory 2008, are included in wirelesstransceiver module 2002. In some embodiments, an individual wirelesstransmitter module and an individual wireless receiver module areimplemented in place of wireless transceiver module 2002.

FIG. 26 is a drawing 2100 illustrating exemplary frequency bands andshared frequency band usage between wide area network communicationsusage and peer to peer communications usage in accordance with variousembodiments. A band used as a wide area network communications band isalso allocated for usage as a peer to peer TDD receiver band and as apeer to peer TDD transmitter band. As an example, the bands presented inFIG. 26 may be utilized by the multi-mode wireless communications device2000 of FIG. 25, e.g., with a different pair of WAN uplink and downlinkcommunications bands being available and/or used at different locationsand/or at different times.

Horizontal axis 2101 represents frequency. Corresponding to frequencyf_(UL1) 2103 there is a wide area network uplink frequency divisionduplex band 2102, a peer to peer time division duplex transmit band 2106and a peer to peer time division duplex receive band 2108. Wide areanetwork uplink frequency division duplex band 2102 is paired with widearea network downlink frequency division duplex band 2104. Correspondingto frequency f_(DL1) 2105 there is wide area network downlink frequencydivision duplex band 2104.

Similarly, corresponding to frequency f_(UL2) 2113 there is a wide areanetwork uplink frequency division duplex band 2112, a peer to peer timedivision duplex transmit baud 2116 and a peer to peer time divisionduplex receive band 2118. Wide area network uplink frequency divisionduplex band 2112 is paired with wide area network downlink frequencydivision duplex band 2114. Corresponding to frequency f_(DL2) 2115 thereis wide area network downlink frequency division duplex band 2114.

Similarly, corresponding to frequency f_(UL3) 2123 there is a wide areanetwork uplink frequency division duplex band 2122, a peer to peer timedivision duplex transmit band 2126 and a peer to peer time divisionduplex receive band 2128. Wide area network uplink frequency divisionduplex band 2122 is paired with wide area network downlink frequencydivision duplex band 2124. Corresponding to frequency f_(DL3) 2125 thereis wide area network downlink frequency division duplex band 2124.

Consider exemplary device 2000 of FIG. 25. The communications devicedecides to use one of the 3 WAN frequency pairs in FIG. 26. For example,consider that the second pair is chosen. The transmitter chain 2001,which is used for both WAN and peer to peer transmit signaling, and thesecond receiver chain 2005, which is used for peer to peer signalreception, are tuned to f_(UL2). The first receiver chain 2003, which isused to receive WAN signals, is tuned to f_(DL2).

FIG. 27 includes a flowchart 2200 of an exemplary method of operating amulti-mode wireless communications device and exemplary timing structure2250 information in accordance with various embodiments. Operation ofthe exemplary method starts in step 2202, where the multi-mode wirelesscommunications device is powered on and initialized. The multi-modewireless communications device is, e.g., device 2000 of FIG. 25.Operation proceeds from start step 2202 to step 2204. In step 2204, thewireless device tunes its transmitter chain to a first frequency band,said transmitter chain to be used for transmitting both uplink signalsand peer to peer signals. In step 2206, the wireless device toes itsfirst receiver chain to a second frequency band, said second frequencyband being different from said first frequency band, said first receiverchain to be used for receiving WAN downlink signals. In step 2208, thewireless device tunes its second receiver chain to the first frequencyband, said second receiver chain to be used for receiving peer to peersignals. Operation proceeds from step 2208 to step 2210.

In step 2210, the wireless device receives input indicating operatorselection of peer to peer mode enabling. Then, in step 2212, thewireless communications device enables peer to peer mode as the primarymode of operation to be used. Operation proceeds from step 2212 to step2214. In step 2214, the wireless device automatically switches betweenpeer to peer mode and WAN mode of operation as a function of WAN pagingintervals in a predetermined schedule. For example, consider multi-modewireless communications device 2000 of FIG. 25, when the scheduleindicates that a paging interval is occurring the mode control module2044 controls the switch 2032 to couple the 1^(st) receiver chain 2003to the ADC 2034; however when the schedule indicates that a paginginterval is not occurring the mode control module 2044 controls theswitch 2032 to couple the 2^(nd) receiver chain 2005 to the ADC 2034.

Drawing 2250 of FIG. 27 indicates exemplary timing structure informationwhich identifies exemplary WAN paging intervals (2254, 2258) andexemplary peer to peer intervals (2256, 2260), along time axis 2252 inan exemplary recurring timing structure.

FIG. 28 is a flowchart 2500 of an exemplary method of operating amulti-mode wireless communications device in accordance with variousembodiments. The multi-mode wireless communications device is, e.g.,device 2000 of FIG. 25. Operation starts in step 2502, where themulti-mode communications device is powered on and initialized andproceeds to step 2504. In step 2504, the wireless terminal selects afirst frequency division duplex uplink/downlink pair, e.g., a pair ofFDD frequency bands with associated tuner frequency settings, from amonga plurality of alternative pairs. Drawing 2100 of FIG. 26 illustratesthree exemplary FDD uplink/downlink pairs.

Operation proceeds from step 2504 to step 2506, where the communicationsdevice tunes a first transmitter chain to generate transmission signalshaving a first RF frequency, and in step 2508, the communications devicetunes a first receiver chain to process received signals having a secondRF frequency. Operation proceeds from step 2508 to step 2510 in whichthe communications device tunes a second receiver chain to processreceived signals having the said first RF frequency. In someembodiments, one or more of steps 2506, 2508 and 2510 are performed inparallel. In various embodiments, the first RF frequency corresponds tothe FDD uplink of the FDD pair selected in step 2504, and the second RFfrequency corresponds to the FDD downlink of the FDD pair selected instep 2504.

Operation proceeds from step 2510 to step 2512. In step 2512, thecommunications device receives user input identifying a user choice formode, e.g., peer to peer communications mode or wide area networkcommunications mode. Operation proceeds from step 2512 to step 2514. Instep 2514 the communications device proceeds along different pathsdepending upon whether or not peer to peer mode has been enabled by theuser choke of step 2512.

If peer to peer mode is enabled, then operation proceeds from step 2514to step 2516. If peer to peer mode is not enabled, then operationproceeds from step 2514 to step 2518, where the communications deviceoperates in a second mode of operation, e.g., a wide area network FDDmode of operation, using said transmitter chain and said first receiverchain.

Returning to step 2516, in step 2516, the communications device switchesbetween use of said first and second receiver chains as a function ofwhich one of a first mode and a second mode of operation a mode controlmodule selects to be used at a given time. The switching is, in variousembodiments, performed in an automatic or semi-automatic manner withoutuser intervention. Step 2516 includes sub-steps 2520, 2524, 2526, 2528,2530 and 2532. In sub-step 2520, the communications device identifies atime interval in a WAN reception schedule implemented by thecommunications device, and then in sub-step 2524, the communicationsdevice determines whether or not the identified time interval in the WANreception schedule indicates a WAN paging interval. If a paging intervalis indicated, then operation proceeds from sub-step 2524 to sub-step2526; otherwise operation proceeds from sub-step 2524 to sub-step 2528.

Returning to sub-step 2526, in sub-step 2526, fee mode control module ofthe communications device selects the first mode, e.g., the FDD WAN modeof operation, and in sub-step 2530, the communications devices switchesto use the 1^(st) receiver chain. Returning to sub-step 2528, insub-step 2528, the mode control module of the communications deviceselects the second mode, e.g., the peer to peer communications mode ofoperation, and in sub-step 2532, the communications devices switches touse the 2^(nd) receiver chain.

if operation had proceeded through sub-step 2530, then operationproceeds to step 2534; while if operation had proceeded through sub-step2532, then operation proceeds to step 2536. In step 2534, thecommunications device is operated in the first mode of operation, e.g.,the FDD WAN mode, using the 1^(st) receiver chain to receive WAN pagingsignals. In step 2536, the communications device is operated in thesecond mode of operation, e.g., the peer to peer mode of operation,using the 2^(nd) receiver chain and the transmitter chain. In variousembodiments, when a user enables peer to peer operation, thecommunications device operates predominately in the 2^(nd) mode usingthe 2^(nd) receiver chain; however, during at least some pagingintervals of the WAN timing structure, the communications deviceoperates in the first mode using the 1^(st) receiver chain. Operationproceeds from one of step 2534 and step 2536 to step 2516 to identifyand consider mode and switching pertaining to another time interval.

FIG. 29 is a flowchart 2600 of an exemplary method of operating amulti-mode wireless communications device in accordance with variousembodiments. The multi-mode wireless communications device is, e.g.,device 2000 of FIG. 25. Operation starts in step 2602, where themulti-mode communications device is powered on and initialized andproceeds to step 2604. In step 2604, the wireless terminal selects afirst frequency division duplex uplink/downlink pair, e.g., a pair ofFDD frequency bands with associated tuner frequency settings, from amonga plurality of alternative pairs. Drawing 2100 of FIG. 26 illustratesthree exemplary FDD uplink/downlink pairs.

Operation proceeds from step 2604 to step 2606, where the communicationsdevice tunes a first transmitter chain to generate transmission signalshaving a first RF frequency, and in step 2608, the communications devicetunes a first receiver chain to process received signals having a secondRF frequency. Operation proceeds from step 2608 to step 2610 in whichthe communications device times a second receiver chain to processreceived signals having the said first RF frequency. In someembodiments, one or more of steps 2606, 2608 and 2610 are performed inparallel. In various embodiments, the first RF frequency corresponds tothe FDD uplink of the FDD pair selected in step 2604, and the second RFfrequency corresponds to the FDD downlink of the FDD pair selected instep 2604.

Operation proceeds from step 2610 to step 2612. In step 2612, thecommunications device switches between use of fee first and secondreceiver chains as a function of which one of a first mode, e.g., a widearea network FDD mode and a second mode, e.g., a peer to peer mode ofoperation, a mode control module selects to be used at a given point intime. For example, the multi-mode communications device uses thetransmitter irrespective of whether the communications device is in thewide area network FDD mode or in the peer to peer mode. However, withrespect to reception, the multi-mode communications device uses thefirst receiver chain when in the WAN FDD mode and uses the secondreceiver chain when in the peer to peer mode of operation. Thus the WANcommunications are FDD, and the peer to peer communications are TDD withthe peer to peer communications sharing the WAN FDD uplink hand.

Step 2612 includes sub-steps 2614, 2616 and 2618. In sub-step 2614, thecommunications device determines a reception priority corresponding toreceiving wide area network signals, and in sub-step 2616, thecommunications device determines a reception priority corresponding toreceiving peer to peer signals. Then, in sub-step 2618, thecommunications device selects between first and second modes as afunction of relative reception priority.

Operation proceeds from the output of step 2612 to the input of step2612. Over time reception priorities may, and sometimes do change, e.g.,due to a particular user of the communications device, service levelinformation, type of data to be communicated, amounts of data to becommunicated, latency considerations, etc.

FIG. 30 is a flowchart 2700 of an exemplary method of operating amulti-mode wireless communications device in accordance with variousembodiments. The multi-mode wireless communications device is, e.g.,device 2000 of FIG. 25. Operation starts in step 2702, where themulti-mode communications device is powered on and initialized andproceeds to step 2704. In step 2704, the wireless terminal selects afirst frequency division duplex uplink/downlink pair, e.g., a pair ofFDD frequency bands with associated tuner frequency settings, from amonga plurality of alternative pairs. Drawing 2100 of FIG. 26 illustratesthree exemplary FDD uplink/downlink pairs.

Operation proceeds from step 2704 to step 2706, where the communicationsdevice tunes a first transmitter chain to generate transmission signalshaving a first RF frequency, and in step 2708, the communications devicetunes a first receiver chain to process received signals having a secondRF frequency. Operation proceeds from step 2708 to step 2710 in whichthe communications device tunes a second receiver chain to processreceived signals having the said first RF frequency. In someembodiments, one or more of steps 2706, 2708 and 2710 are performed inparallel. In various embodiments, the first RF frequency corresponds tothe FDD uplink of the FDD pair selected in step 2704, and the second RFfrequency corresponds to the FDD downlink of the FDD pair selected instep 2704.

Operation proceeds from step 2710 to step 2712. In step 2712, thecommunications device monitors for a handoff indicator signal. For adetected handoff indicator signal, operation proceeds from step 2712 tostep 2714.

In step 2714, the communications device determines whether or not thehandoff is from a peer to peer-communications link to a WANcommunications link. If the handoff is determined to be from, a peer topeer communications link to a WAN link, then operation proceeds fromstep 2714 to step 2716; otherwise operation proceeds from step 2714 tostep 2718.

In step 2718, the communications device determines whether or not thehandoff as from a WAN communications link to a peer to peercommunications link. If the handoff is determined to be from a WANcommunications link to a peer to peer link, then operation proceeds fromstep 2718 to step 2720; otherwise operation proceeds from, step 2718 tostep 2712 since the type of link has not changed, e.g., a handoff isoccurring between different base stations or different base stationsectors within the WAN network, and switching between receivers is notperformed.

Returning to step 2716, in step 2716 the communications device switchesfrom, a second mode of operation, e.g., a peer to peer mode ofoperation, to a first mode of operation, e.g., a WAN mode of operation.Returning to step 2720, in step 2720 the communications device switchesfrom a first mode of operation, e.g., a WAN mode of operation, to asecond mode of operation, e.g., a peer to peer mode of operation.Operation proceeds from one of steps 2736 and 2720 to step 2722.

In step 2722, the communications device switches between use of saidfirst and second receiver chains as a function of which one of saidfirst mode, e.g., a wide area network FDD mode, and said second mode ofoperation, e.g., a peer to peer communication mode of operation isselected to be used at a given time. For example, if operation proceededalong step 2716, then switching occurs such that the receiver chainusage transitions from the second receiver chain to the first receiverchain. Continuing with the example, if operation had proceeded alongstep 2720, then, switching occurs such that the receiver chain usagetransitions from the first receiver chain to the second receiver chain.Operation proceeds from step 2722 to step 2712 to monitor for additionalhandoff indicator signals.

In various embodiments, the same transmitter chain is used in both theWAN FDD mode of operation, e.g., a cellular mode of operation, and inthe peer to peer mode of operation, e.g., a TDD peer to peer mode ofoperation. However, a different receiver chain is utilized when in theWAN mode of operation as compared to when in the peer to peer mode ofoperation. In various embodiments the TDD peer to peer mode of operationuses fee same frequency band for both transmission and reception as isused in the WAN for uplink signaling.

In some embodiments, a cellular based communications system using atleast one of TDD and FDD accommodates peer to peer signaling with atleast some of the peer to peer signaling sharing air link resources alsoused for uplink wide area network, e.g., cell based, uplink signaling.In some embodiments, a typical cellular based communications systemusing at least one of TDD and FDD is modified to accommodate peer topeer signaling with at least some of the peer to peer signaling sharingair link resources typically reserved for uplink wide area network,e.g., cell based, uplink signaling. In some embodiments, many legacycommunications devices supporting cell based signaling, but not peer topeer signaling, can continue to be used in the communications system. Invarious embodiments, a communications system supports a mixture ofcommunications devices with at least some of the communications devicessupporting peer to peer communications, but not supporting cell basedcommunications. In some embodiments, a communications system supports amixture of communications devices with at least some of thecommunications devices supporting both peer to peer communications andcell based communications.

While described primarily in the context of an OFDM system, the methodsand apparatus of various embodiments are applicable to a wide range ofcommunications systems including many non-OFDM and/or non-cellularsystems. Some exemplary systems include a mixture of technologiesutilized in the peer to peer signaling, e.g., some OFDM type signals andsome CDMA type signals.

In various embodiments nodes described herein are implemented using oneor more modules to perform the steps corresponding to one or moremethods, for example, scanning art uplink bandwidth, evaluating a basestation signal, determining a transmission power level controlparameter, controlling peer to peer transmission power,measuring-interference, determining a transmission power control value,transmitting a transmission power control parameter etc. In someembodiments various features are implemented using modules. Such modulesmay be implemented using software, hardware or a combination of softwareand hardware. Many of the above described methods or method steps can beimplemented using machine executable instructions, such as software,included in a machine readable medium such as a memory device, e.g.,RAM, floppy disk, etc. to control a machine, e.g., general purposecomputer with or without additional hardware, to implement all orportions of the above described methods, e.g., in one or more nodes.Accordingly, among other things, various embodiments are directed to amachine-readable medium including machine executable instructions forcausing a machine, e.g., processor and associated hardware, to performone or more of the steps of the above-described method(s).

Numerous additional variations on the methods and apparatus describedabove will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the abovedescriptions. Such, variations are to be considered within scope. Themethods and apparatus of various embodiments may be, and in variousembodiments are, used with CDMA, orthogonal frequency divisionmultiplexing (OFDM), and/or various other types of communicationstechniques which may be used to provide wireless communications linksbetween access nodes and mobile nodes. In some embodiments the accessnodes are implemented as base stations which establish communicationslinks with mobile nodes using OFDM and/or CDMA. In various embodimentsthe mobile nodes are implemented as notebook computers, personal dataassistants (PDAs), or other portable devices includingreceiver/transmitter circuits and logic and/or routines, forimplementing the methods of various embodiments.

1. A multi-mode communications device comprising: a transmitter chainfor generating transmission signals having a first RF frequency; a firstreceiver chain for processing received signals having a second RFfrequency; and a second receiver chain for processing received signalshaving the first RF frequency.
 2. The multi-mode communications deviceof claim 1, further comprising: a mode control module for switchingbetween use of said first and second receiver chains as a function ofwhich one of a first and second mode of operation the mode controlmodule selects to be used at a given time.
 3. The multi-modecommunications device of claim 2, wherein the first mode of operation isa frequency division duplex mode of operation; and wherein said secondmode of operation is a peer to peer communication mode of operation. 4.The multi-mode communications device of claim 3, wherein the first modeof operation is a wide area network frequency division duplex mode ofoperation.
 5. The multi-mode communications device of claim 3, whereinsaid transmitter chain is used during said first and second modes ofoperation.
 6. The multi-mode communications device of claim 3, whereinsaid mode control module automatically controls said switching as afunction of a wide area network reception schedule implemented by saidmulti-mode communications device.
 7. The multi-mode communicationsdevice of claim 6, wherein said scheduling information indicates whenwide area network paging messages may be received by said multi-modecommunications device, said mode control module control controlling saiddevice to operate in said first mode of operation during time periods inwhich said wide area network paging messages may be received by saidmulti-mode device.
 8. The multi-mode communications device of claim 3,wherein said mode control mode switches between said first and secondmodes of operation as a function of a reception priority correspondingto receiving wide area network signals relative to a prioritycorresponding to receiving peer to peer signals.
 9. The multi-modecommunications device of claim 3, wherein said mode control module isresponsive to a handoff indicator signal indicating a handoff from apeer to peer communications link to a wide area network communicationslink to cause a switch from the second mode of operation to the firstmode of operation.
 10. The multi-mode communications device of claim 3,wherein said mode control module is responsive to a handoff indicatorsignal indicating a handoff from a wide area network communications linkto a peer to peer communications link to cause a switch from the secondmode of operation to the first mode of operation.
 11. The multi-modecommunications device of claim 2, further comprising; memory including apredetermined schedule for operating in said first and second modes ofoperation; and wherein said mods control module controls the device toswitch between said first and second modes of operation in accordancewith said schedule.
 12. A method of operating a multi-modecommunications device, the method comprising: tuning a transmitter chainto generate transmission signals having a first RF frequency; tuning afirst receiver chain to process received signals having a second RFfrequency; and tuning a second receiver chain to process receivedsignals having the first RF frequency.
 13. The method, of claim 12,further comprising: switching between use of said first and secondreceiver chains as a function of which one of a first and second mode ofoperation a mode control module selects to be used at a given time. 14.The method of claim 13, wherein the first mode of operation is afrequency division duplex mode of operation; and wherein said secondmode of operation is a peer to peer communication mode of operation. 15.The method of claim 14, wherein the first mode of operation is a widearea network frequency division duplex mode of operation.
 16. The methodof claim 14, wherein said transmitter chain is used during said firstand second modes of operation.
 17. The method of claim 14, wherein saidswitching is performed without user intervention and as a function of awide area network reception schedule implemented by said multi-modecommunications device.
 18. The method of claim 17, further comprising;prior to said switching, receiving a user input enabling peer to peermode of operation.
 19. The method of claim 17, wherein said wide areanetwork reception schedule indicates when wide area network pagingmessages may be received by said multi-mode communications device, themethod further comprising: controlling said device to operate in saidfirst mode of operation during time periods in which said wide areanetwork paging messages may be received by said multi-mode device. 20.The method of claim 14, wherein said switching between said first andsecond modes of operation is determined as a function of a receptionpriority corresponding to receiving wide area network signals relativeto a priority corresponding to receiving peer to peer signals.
 21. Themethod of claim 14, further comprising: receiving a handoff signalindicator indicating a handoff from a peer to peer communications linkto a wide area network link; and switching from the second mode ofoperation to the first mode of operation in response to said handoffindicator signal.
 22. The method of claim 14, further comprising:receiving a handoff signal indicator indicating a handoff from a widearea network communications link to a peer to peer communications link;and switching from the first mode of operation to the second mode ofoperation in response to said handoff indicator signal.
 23. The methodof claim 14, further comprising; prior to tuning said transmitter chain,tuning said first receiver chain and tuning said second receiver chain,selecting a wide area network frequency division duplex pair from amonga plurality of potential wide area network frequency division duplexpairs.
 24. A multi-mode communications device comprising: transmittermeans for generating transmission signals having a first RF frequency;first receiver means for processing received signals having a second RFfrequency; and second receiver means for processing received signalshaving the first RF frequency.
 25. The multi-mode communications deviceof claim 24, further comprising: mode control means for switchingbetween use of said first and second receiver means as a function ofwhich one of a first and second mode of operation the mode control meansselects to be used at a given time.
 26. The multi-mode communicationsdevice of claim 25, wherein the first mode of operation is a frequencydivision duplex, mode of operation; and wherein said second mode ofoperation is a peer to peer communication mode of operation.
 27. Themulti-mode communications device of claim 26, wherein said mode controlmeans automatically controls said switching as a function of a wide areanetwork reception schedule implemented by said multi-mode communicationsdevice.
 28. The multi-mode communications device of claim 26, whereinsaid mode control mode switches between said first and second modes ofoperation as a function of a reception priority corresponding toreceiving wide area network signals relative to a priority correspondingto receiving peer to peer signals.
 29. The multi-mode communicationsdevice of claim 25, farther comprising: memory means including apredetermined schedule for operating in said first and second modes ofoperation; and wherein said mode control means controls the device toswitch between said first and second modes of operation in accordancewith said schedule.
 30. A computer readable medium embodying machineexecutable instructions for controlling a multi-mode communicationsdevice to implement a method, the method comprising: tuning atransmitter chain to generate transmission signals having a first RFfrequency; tuning a first receiver chain to process received signalshaving a second RF frequency; and timing a second receiver chain toprocess received signals having the first RF frequency.
 31. The computerreadable medium of claim 30, further embodying machine executableinstructions for: switching between use of said first and secondreceiver chains as a function of which one of a first and second mode ofoperation a mode control module selects to be used at a given time. 32.The computer readable medium of claim 31, wherein the first mode ofoperation is a frequency division duplex mode of operation; and whereinsaid second mode of operation is a peer to peer communication mode ofoperation.
 33. The computer readable medium of claim 32, wherein saidswitching is performed without user intervention and as a function of awide area network reception schedule implemented by said multi-modecommunications device.
 34. The computer readable medium of claim 33,further embodying machine executable instructions for: prior to saidswitching, receiving a user input enabling peer to peer mode ofoperation.
 35. The computer readable medium of claim 32, wherein saidswitching between said first and second modes of operation is determinedas a function of a reception priority corresponding to receiving widearea network signals relative to a priority corresponding to receivingpeer to peer signals.
 36. As apparatus comprising: processor configuredto: tune a transmitter chain to generate transmission signals having afirst RF frequency; tune a first receiver chain to process receivedsignals having a second RF frequency; and tune a second receiver chainto process received signals having the first RF frequency.
 37. Theapparatus of claim 36, wherein said processor is further configured to:switch between use of said first and second receiver chains as afunction of which one of a first and second mode of operation a modecontrol module selects to be used at a given time.
 38. The apparatus ofclaim 37, wherein the first mode of operation is a frequency divisionduplex mode of operation; and wherein said second mode of operation is apeer to peer communication mode of operation.
 39. The apparatus of claim38, wherein said processor configuration to switch is further configuredto be performed without user intervention and as a function of a widearea network reception schedule implemented by said multi-modecommunications device.
 40. The apparatus of claim 39, wherein said,processor is further configured to: prior to performing said switching,receive a user input enabling peer to peer mode of operation.
 41. Theapparatus of claim 38, wherein said processor configuration to switchbetween said first and second modes of operation further includes beingconfigured to determine as a function of a reception prioritycorresponding to receiving wide area network signals relative to apriority corresponding to receiving peer to peer signals.